! With proceeds going to the Zambia Volunteer Foundation, we are looking for teams or individuals to join in the fun whilst raising money for an excellent cause. Not only do you get the chance to prove your dominance in a bit of competitive fun, but there will also be plenty of prizes up for grabs on the day! Including Newcastle Eagles tickets, Leeds Rhinos merch, and plenty more!
Taking place on Friday 2nd December at Sport Central, you can enter either individually (£3) or as part of a team (£20) to have a day full of competitive festive fun. Entry can be made via this link.
This year the Zambia volunteer project will see six students and one member of staff head out to Zambia in June to help support the Volunteer Zambia project, delivering sport to young and vulnerable people.
With various roles available for students to get involved in including, student sport development officers, media marketing, and communication officers there are plenty of opportunities to gain valuable skills and expand their experience in areas of interest. Alongside this, the Zambia project allows students to become immersed in a new culture and visit somewhere new.
Mollie Smith is joining students this year as the staff representative and is extremely excited to get stuck into the opportunity:
“I can’t wait to get out to Zambia in June to help the volunteers deliver the project to the coaches and young people. I’m going out next year as the staff member to support our volunteers, so despite not directly delivering the programme, I will be there helping, watching, and keeping everyone updated back home on the progress and success of our students!”
Zambia is one of the poorest countries in the world and seeing the difference that sports can make in young people’s lives is extremely rewarding for those students and staff involved. A huge part of the project is of course teamwork, so seeing everyone work together and achieve things both before and after flying out is extremely rewarding for the university.
Whilst in Zambia the students use sport as a tool to educate and positively impact people’s lives and work closely with the Zambian NGO Sport In Action to help develop sporting opportunities for local people. So, this opportunity at Northumbria is excellent for students to build up their skills and experiences outside of study.
Mollie recognises the privilege she has to be able to visit Zambia, and has had a keen interest in the programme since being a student herself:
“Having studied a sports degree at Northumbria, I have always been aware of the project, so to finally be involved on a staff member level is very exciting. I’m sure as the flight gets nearer, we will all be feeling a bit nervous, but it helps that I’ve heard so many great stories surrounding other people’s experiences, so I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
So, with both Mollie and our students being driven and extremely keen to reach their fundraising targets before the summer, getting involved with our Zambia dodgeball tournament is a great place to start helping out! Not only will it be a fun-filled day for you, but it will also raise money for an extremely good cause! Get involved - you won’t regret it!
Please follow the project’s Just Giving link. Any donations big or small will be massively appreciated!