Johannesburg, February 15, 2011 – LegalWise has seen to it that 26 underprivileged football players can now step onto a soft, grassy pitch instead of a dry and dusty field when they lace up their boots for training.

 As the principal sponsors of the LegalWise Hope Academy in Soweto, this legal consulting firm has arranged and financed the grass laying of a football pitch at the community soccor academy.

 The LegalWise Hope Academy, which is housed on the property of Siziwile School for Deaf Children in Dobsonville, is one of a number of community soccer academies in South Africa, where previously disadvantaged youths who show a flair for soccer receive professional coaching.

 In addition, crucial life skills training and educational assistance are also provided to help the children reach their maximum potential. The coaches at these academies have received training from SAFA and UEFA. The academies are run by Ambassadors in Sport Africa (AIS), a non-profit Christian organization that seeks to bring the message of hope through the medium of football, teaching participants both soccer and life skills.

 This Saturday, teams consisting of the coaches and children from the academy and their families, AIS volunteers, children and staff from Sizwile School, LegalWise staff, members of the Little Legends Football Club in Randburg and other community members will each get to lay one of 60 sections of grass to create a 6 000 square metre football pitch.

 About three to four hundred people are expected to participate. “Anyone who’s interested in the project is more than welcome to bring along their family and friends and ‘pitch in’,” said Tim Tucker, who heads up AIS Africa. For their efforts, everyone present will receive refreshments throughout the day and boerewors rolls at lunchtime. Thrilling entertainment is also promised.

 The grass laying project, which cost in the region of R80 000, involved preparing the ground, procuring grass, fertilizer, a lawn mower and an irrigation system, and covering the expenses of the grass laying event.

 “This project is particularly special as it engages a diverse range of people: deaf, hearing, black, white, poor and affluent volunteering their time to come together with a common goal,” said Jan Luwes, CEO of LegalWise. “Many of the Academy children have never played football on a proper grassed field before and also, since Siziwile School will now have a sports field, it will be able to host other schools to play on its "new" field, instead ofalways having to go to other fields. The field will belong to all who have been part of its establishment and something for the community to be proud of,” Luwes said.

 Tucker sees the new football pitch as more than just a physical necessity for a football academy. “The goal of the Hope Academy is to bring hope to young people in their football and faith in a bright future,” he said. “Not only does having a good football pitch help the children develop in their soccer skills, but it also demonstrates to them that dreams can come true.”

 LegalWise has played an instrumental role in the growing success of the academy. “Last year they sponsored all the kit for the children, as well as the containers which serve as office/storage space for AIS,” said Tucker. “They also contribute to the ongoing running costs… their commitment is second-to-none!”

 Email africa@ais-africa.co.za or call 0123480025 for more information.

Press release prepared by our PR partner: Pleiades Media.