Teacher / Head Baseball Coach, Kevin Healy, Travels to South Africa to Play Global!

Article taken from Play Global’s Newsletter (Sept. 2019)

Coach Kevin Healy traveled to South Africa this summer, spending one month teaching baseball in the Eastern Cape province. Healy’s trip focused the town of Mdantsane, where he worked in eight schools. He introduced game skills and teamwork to hundreds of local students and players, dozens of teachers, and several existing coaches. After a few days, Healy realized that baseball was more than a fun game to the local community. “As I walked around town, people would stop me to say hello and share how they hoped that having baseball programs would help with crime issues, giving the kids a positive outlet and goals they’d be excited to work toward. It made sense that being part of a team could keep kids out of trouble.”

During his stay in the Eastern Cape, Healy also visited Port Elizabeth to work with more local club players, and went to Jeffreys Bay to visit four additional schools. The trip wrapped up with an eight-school festival back in Mdansante. He was hosted by Lwazi Mlondolozie, Development Officer of the Eagles Baseball Club.

All these events were part of the 2nd annual Billy Magengelele Baseball Revival Programme. “We want to revive this sport in the Eastern Cape, and make sure Mr. Magengelele’s legacy lives on,” Lwazi said. “He was my coach during my playing days and he used the sport to keep us away from the streets, and I’m grateful for that, and I want to continue his work. “Healy is Play Global’s third coach to visit the Eastern Cape.”