Equipping coaches to tackle fatherlessnes

On a hot day at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport, we were lucky enough to spot a Springbok player or two walking around during our second Fathers Matter Sports workshop. However, the real focus was on a different kind of sporting hero: the coaches, sports facilitators and sports chaplains who gathered to explore how they could make a profound impact on the athletes they coach and mentor, particularly in the context of fatherlessness in South Africa.

Bruce Nadin, Chaplain at Stellenbosch Football Club (FC) and a driving force behind taking positive fatherhood to the sports arena, and Heartlines' Nkosinathi Sixabayi facilitated the sessions. Bruce connected with the audience by sharing his personal journey in sports, emphasising how it often reveals deeper personal challenges and the need for support beyond the field.

Bruce unpacked the Fathers Matter Sport Facilitators guide, demonstrating how the Fathers Matter film screenings, group discussions, and personal reflection activities can be used to support young athletes across a variety of sporting codes such as cricket, basketball and soccer. He highlighted how the programme aligns with Stellenbosch FC's "More than a Game" philosophy, recognising that a young person's development extends far beyond the playing field.

Following the first session, Azola, one of the attendees said that the thing he aims to take with him into his coaching is to “start focusing on having more one-on-one sessions with my players.” He also noted that he wanted to “become more aware of their mental state, where they come from, and what attitude they’re bringing to the sessions, and also for me as a coach to be aware of the things that I say to them.” Coach Azola is from Training4changes, an organisation that use sports coaching as a tool to promote a similar message around “More than sport” by intentionally equipping young leaders with essential life skills and values to bring about holistic community transformation.

An insightful second session

The evening session took on a more reflective tone as a new group of attendees joined. Lereko Mfono, from the Fathers Matter team, opened with an engaging icebreaker, which saw participants each share who their sporting heroes are. Figures like Naas Botha (ex-Springbok rugby player) and Sibusiso Zuma (ex-Bafana Bafana soccer player) came up, inspiring nostalgic conversations and setting the tone for a deeper time together.

Bruce returned to the stage, building on Nkosinathi's message as he shared the Fathers Matter Sport pilot programme video, documenting his touching work with 22 Stellenbosch FC players. One of the more feel good stories to come out of the pilot programme was Devin Titus' – a player who attributes his meteoric rise through the ranks of professional South African football to his father's consistent presence and guidance.

Devin's story serves as a powerful testament to the transformative impact a father – or father figure – can have on a budding athlete’s life.

The session concluded with the Fathers Matter team reminding the coaches that while becoming a father figure might seem daunting, they aren't alone. This paved the way for the introduction of the Fathers Matter WhatsApp Coach, a resource designed to provide on-demand practical advice, support and referrals for navigating fatherhood’s challenges, much like having a "coach-in-your-pocket."

One of the main takeaways from the workshop for many of the attendees was the importance of making time to intentionally find out how players are doing, with Coach Angelo from Porterville, Western Cape, stating that “connection is all about the relationships you develop.” Angelo went on to highlight that building connections is key for young athletes at the moment citing “a lack of positive role models, especially father figures, in our communities and society.”

By equipping coaches with the Fathers Matter resources and inspiring them to embrace their role as mentors and social fathers, the workshop offered a powerful message: showing up consistently and fostering meaningful relationships can change the narrative for children across South Africa.

If you’re keen to get Fathers Matter for Sports into your team or club, email us.