Jewish Academy of Sporting Excellence

‘The important thing in life is not the victory but the contest, the essential thing is not to have won but to have fought well'
Baron Pierre de Coubertin - Olympic Games, 1908

Introduction

The history of sport is probably as old as the existence of people as purposive beings. Sport has been a useful way to demonstrate man's mastery of nature and the environment while presenting interesting commentary on social change and on human nature itself. An athlete at the top of his game depicts the beauty of basic human skills being developed and exercised for their own sake, in parallel with being exercised for their usefulness.

Monuments in Ancient Egypt and Greece indicate that a range of sports were well developed and regulated several thousand years ago. These including swimming, fishing, javelin throwing, high jump, running, wrestling and chariot racing.

The most widely recognised acknowledgment of an athlete's accomplishment is his inclusion in a team that competes at the highest level - the Olympic Games. As far back as 1896, Jewish sportsmen and women have soared at international level. However, probably the first recorded Jewish star to shine on the athletics field was Harold Abrahams, who won the 100-metre gold medal at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games, equalling the Olympic record of 10.6 sec and inspiring the epic film, Chariots of Fire.

JASE

Since then, Jewish athletes have met the international sporting challenges head on. Sadly, far less has been accomplished in South Africa. But that is about to change with the introduction of the Jewish Academy of Sporting Excellence (JASE) on the King David Victory Park Campus. JASE will be established to celebrate Jewish individual and collective excellence both on and off the sports field.

Our Aim

Through JASE, we will establish a vibrant and sustainable sporting academy to inspire our community, and those around us, while developing talent and sporting excellence in a manner never experienced before. Our focus will be on recognising the innate sporting ability of every member of society, while ensuring that those gifted athletes among us have access to the most professional coaching and mentoring staff to enable them to realise their full potential. By recognising potential and nurturing our athletes from an early age, we will offer Jewish athletes from across the country a platform from which they can progress to national and international levels with confidence and pride.

Involvement in sport is universal throughout today's world and serves as a bridge between nations and peoples. The ethos of good sportsmanship will form the basis of all interaction with JASE. Our code of conduct will reflect our commitment to true sportsmanship - before, during, and after the competition.

One must extend the hand of sportsmanship not only when one wins, but also when one loses. JASE will encourage a collective spirit that demonstrates that while winning the game is the ultimate accolade, the game will also be enjoyed for its own sake, with honour, pride ... and humility.

Sporting Codes at JASE

The sporting codes that JASE will concentrate on are:

Become a Friend of JASE

JASE and the King David Victory Park campus is now offering you an opportunity to become a Friend of JASE by assisting in the funding of this Jewish sporting academy in Johannesburg. For an annual subscription, you can become a Copper (R180.00), Bronze (R360.00), Silver (R540.00), Gold (R720.00), Platinum (R900.00) or Diamond member (R1 800.00).

To become a donor in this Jewish sporting academy, please contact JASE at the King David Victory Park Campus on 011 446 7860.