HISTORY OF SACSSA

Sport under the Christian Schools started to become more prominent and structured, as from 1991, when principals realized that one of the first questions often asked by prospective parents was: What do you offer in terms of sport and which organization do you belong to?

Up to that point, the answer was always a bit vague and principals tried to avoid the question.

Almost simultaneously, in 1991/92 a group of schools in Transvaal, under ACS (The Association of Christian Schools) and ACE in Natal, started to put structures in place to offer sport on a more organized basis.

Immediately the standard of sport picked up.

The two organizations, ACS and ACE, then started to inter-act on a regular basis, especially in Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics.

Towards the end of 2000, the people responsible for organizing sport in these two organizations, met in Newcastle to discuss the future of sport amongst Christian Schools.

It was then decided to form an independent Sports Body, under the name SACSSA (The Southern African Christian Schools Sports Association)

This body would function totally independent of either ACS or ACE, and will include as far as possible all Christian Schools in Southern Africa, who subscribe to the SACSSA Constitution and Sports Policy.

Since the formation of SACSSA, the sport has really grown from strength to strength, and we currently service approximately 130 schools with approximately 10 000 pupils.

STRUCTURE OF SACSSA

SACSSA currently consists of 9 Regions: Gauteng, Free State, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, Southern Cape, Western Cape, Limpopo and G7 [an independent region]

Regions are normally formed by following the Provincial borders, but SACSSA also makes provision for schools with similar needs and structures, to form a Region by means of association, such as G7, which is a Region consisting of 7 of the larger Christian schools (400+), which are situated in Gauteng and North West

Regions are normally divided into 3 or 4 geographical Zones, which makes participation and organization within the region easier.

Representatives from the Zones form the Regional Council.

The Regions appoint a Sports Co-ordinator (full time or part time) depending on the needs and financial backing) as well as an Advisory member.

Both the above mentioned people represent the Region, on the SACSSA National Board, while the Advisory member will also serve on the National Advisory Board, and this board is responsible for looking at budget, Sport Policy and Constitution.

The National Board also appoints a full time National Co-ordinator and Secretary

The SACSSA National Fee is payable by every region, and corresponds to the total number of learners (Gr 1 and upwards) in the Region.

This fee is revised annually. This fee covers all administrative expenses related to the National Office.

NATIONAL ENTRY FEE

As the basic monthly fee does not cover specific expenses connected to the various National Activities, an Entry Fee per participant, is payable by the participants entering for a specific National or Invitational Activity.

The Entry Fee is stipulated as per event, depending on the expected income and expenses.

REGIONAL FEES

The Fee which is paid by the schools in a specific region, is determined by that specific Regional Committee and depends totally on what the needs in the Region are.

Some Regions establish a full time sports office with a full time Sports Co-ordinator, while Regions that are just starting off, do it on a part time basis, with the sports office in such a case usually connected to a specific school, and the Sports Co-ordinator being reimbursed partly by the school and partly by the Region.

The Regional Fees consist of a Basic Monthly Membership Levy plus an Entry Fee for specific Sports Activities.

This Regional Fee is normally announced in the third term of the previous year, which allows schools to work it into their budgets for the new year.

Schools are advised to work it into their normal monthly school fees and not to show it as a separate item on their monthly statements.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP FEES

SACSSA also recognizes Associate Membership, which is extended to schools outside the current SACSSA Regions.

Such schools will pay no Monthly National Levy, until such a time that a SACSSA Region is formed.

This means that Associate Members can enter for any of the SACSSA National Activities, provided that they follow the specific guidelines, the qualifying standards and pay the specific Entry Fee connected to the activity

BENEFIT MEMBERSHIP

SACSSA has a Benefit Membership Policy.

This kind of membership, is extended to new schools or regions and allows them to participate during the first year of membership, without paying the normal monthly levy.

The only fees payable by these schools/regions during their first year of participation, will then be the normal Entry Fee per participant as stipulated for every activity.

After the first year of participation, these schools/regions can then decide to join SACSSA as Full Members, with all the benefits associated to Full Membership.

SACSSA ACTIVITIES

The activities offered by SACSSA are divided into three main groups:
Zonal Activities

These activities are organized by the Zonal Committees. Zonal Committees consist of one representatives per school in that specific Zone.

These activities include specific sport related to the 6 to 9 year olds, as well as qualifying meetings, in which pupils will qualify for the Regional Meetings.

Activities specifically aimed at our younger participants, are:

Development Swimming

Bakers Cricket

Development Chess

Six-a-side Soccer (u/9)

Fun Athletics

As well as any other activities that the Zonal Committee would like to introduce.

Regional Activities

These activities are usually organized by the Regional Sports Co-ordinator, in conjunction with a hosting school.

These activities may also include the 6 to 9 year olds, if the Region so wishes, but are normally the qualifying rounds from which individuals or teams will be selected to represent the Region during the National Championships or Invitational Meetings.

National Activities

During the SACSSA National Championships, Regions are represented by either individuals (athletics, swimming, cross country, chess, tennis, table tennis, etc) or teams (soccer, netball, cricket, volleyball, etc)

Age groups 10 to 19 are represented at the National level.

A number of clinics and courses are also offered for officials and sports people alike.

Every Region chooses what they are interested in and no region is forced to take part in all activities.

NATIONAL AND INTER-NATIONAL CONTACT

Cricket

In 2001, SACSSA toured Zimbabwe with two cricket teams; u/15 and u/19

In 2002, an u/19 cricket team toured The United Kingdom very successfully and an u/15 team had a very successful tour to the Cape.

Athletics

Our National Athletics has really become a spectacular event which runs over 3 days, with between 800 and 1000 athletes participating.

Every year we select a SACSSA National team, which is then entered in various meetings.

Since November 2002 SACSSA has been co-organizer together with Prisma Comms Ericsson, of a National Inter-Club meeting. SACSSA is normally represented by between 100 and 150 athletes out of a total of more than 1200 athletes from various clubs across South Africa, that take part.

In 2003, SACSSA came second after Rentmeester Tuks, and in 2004, SACSSA won the competition. In 2005, SACSSA came second again after Rentmeester Tuks. Since 2006, SACSSA has won this competion every year.

Swimming

The SACSSA National Swimming Championships is a two day event of very high standard, with between 400 and 500 swimmers participating every year.

A tour to Australia is being envisaged, for the future.