A team of seven students and three staff from the University of Leeds & Leeds University Union have returned from a life changing trip to South Africa to deliver Gryphons Abroad 2024, our ongoing cycling and sport development project. Our programme sees volunteers deployed for a period of four weeks in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal to teach cycling, leadership and sport in hard-to-reach communities.
Out in South Africa
Through partnership work with KZN Cycling, the KZN Department of Education and Menston based charity, the Bambisanani Partnership, our student team supported the ongoing activation of a regional cycling hub in the Nkandla area. The cycling hub is basically a shipping container which houses a collection of bikes and a trailer which subsequently tours local schools teaching and coaching cycling. Alongside KZN Development Coach, Sonqoba Ndlovu our students delivered 15 cycling clinics and a cycling festival for talented riders in August 2024. The spectrum of learners involved in the programme included complete novices, improvers and competent riders. The team were particularly keen to teach cycling to young women & girls, who would not traditionally learn this skill in Zulu culture. Riders also received cycling jerseys and water bottles, plus helmets in the hub were restocked thanks to the kind support of Chevin Cycles & Otley Cycling Club.
One week of the project also sees students deliver a sport & leadership week for grade seven pupils from three schools in the township of Eshowe. Pupils participate in sport, leadership activities and classroom sessions culminating in them being challenged to lead their own game or activity for their peer group at the end of the week.
Tracy Campbell, University of Leeds Professional Studies student commented;
A particularly moving aspect of the project was the cycle clinics. In Zulu culture, it is uncommon for girls to ride bicycles, so this initiative was culturally sensitive. The girls’ excitement and newfound empowerment through cycling were deeply fulfilling. The ability to bridge cultural gaps and foster dialogue about women’s rights was a significant learning experience for me emphasising the power of sport as a tool for social change.
Across the region our students and staff also participated in a range of cultural experiences, being welcomed by singing and dancing in every school, as well as observing a charity music event and workshops on Women’s Day which is a public holiday in South Africa.
Across the four weeks the team engaged with 12 partner organisations in the UK & South Africa, mobilising 1387 participations in sport & cycling. Parallel to the impact on pupils in Kwa-Zulu Natal, our student team created memories & friendships to last a lifetime as well as developing transferable graduate level skills. The student volunteers participated in a full programme of training, fundraising and mentoring in the eight months leading up to the visit which included a Level 2 coaching qualification, first aid training, bike maintenance training, teaching skills and more. The staff team provided 486 hours of training and support for our students to prepare them for the role.
University of Leeds Sport Science student Freddie Ankers said;
I learnt a lot about myself. I can do things and I definitely do want to teach. It has really helped shape me as a person – I am leaving Leeds now and what a way to finish.
Back in the UK
Following our return to the UK, we were also delighted to be reunited with a delegation of teachers and pupils from Myankanya High School who are involved in the cycling programme, right here at the University of Leeds. Three teachers (PK, Mazet & Nokwazi) and two pupils (Bayanda & Amahle) visited campus and participated in a climbing session as well as a special lunch and tour of campus. It was very special to welcome them to the University for the first time since the project began at Myankanya in 2016, particularly given that Bayanda was the pupil who gave our staff and students a tour of his school on our most recent visit.
Apply now
Applications are now open for students to join Gryphons Abroad in 2025 and will close on Thursday 31st October. We are looking for ten students from all courses and backgrounds to join the team – you do not require any experience of sports coaching or cycling to apply as full training will be provided. We are looking for students with outstanding softer skills who are open minded, committed, adaptable, creative, curious and like to get stuck into new things. If this sounds like you then we would love to hear from you. Thanks to the generous support of the Footsteps Fund the fundraising goal for students is 50% lower than in 2024 and students can also apply for financial support from the Turing Scheme to access this programme. Students can also attend information sessions w/c 21st October to find out more about the role before submitting their application.
