Idols star signs up for Let’s Play
SuperSport’s Let’s Play initiative
has been endorsed by Idols star Lize Heerman, who will this week make her first appearance
on the Let’s Play television insert.
The Idols singer, who made the top 10, says her life has been “insane” since
the popular show, but she is determined to be part of Let’s Play.
By coincidence, Thursday is World Play Day, which emphasises the importance of play for
development and mental health.
Heerman, 21, was involved in community work long before she aspired to Idols. She says
getting involved with Let’s Play will allow her to do more of that.
“When SuperSport approached me, the cause resonated immediately. Why not spend
time investing in youngsters?” asked the Durban North resident.
She has a long personal history in sport: aged 11, she rode her first Argus Cycle Tour
and has subsequently played netball, competed in athletics and taken up surfing, which she
currently enjoys.
“I have so many things going on,” says Heerman, whose first performance came
at the age of five when she sang for her mum in the family lounge. “I’m
recording an album and I love television presenting and chatting to kids.”
By promoting “Play a Game on May 28”, SuperSport aims to encourage parents to
play a game from childhood with their children and to acknowledge that play is an
important part of a child’s development.
SuperSport’s Let’s Play a Million ball distribution campaign also recently
topped the 150 000 mark with areas like Thabong, Peelton, Galeshewe, Mhluzi and Lethabong
receiving balls.
Since the introduction of the Let’s Play a Million and sport development
programme, there is firm evidence of local children having improved their schoolwork.
In Welkom, for instance, the pass rate at Lephola school shot up from 32,3% in 2007 to
87,80% in 2008.
“Around 60% of learners are taking part in extra-mural activities where it used to
be between 35-40%, which means that more children are staying off the streets,”
according to Vaughn Bishop, who manages the Let’s Play initiative.
SuperSport’s Gear up our Kids campaign, which is aligned to Let’s Play, has
also enjoyed enormous success. Almost 12 000 items of sporting equipment was donated with
a replacement value of R815 000. More than 400 beneficiaries stand in line to receive this
equipment.
(Anyone in position to sponsor or donate balls should please contact Vaughn Bishop,
whose details are below).
Watch the Let’s Play insert on the following days:
- Saturday: 4pm, SS7.
- Sunday: 9.30am, SS6; 6.15pm, SS7.
- Monday: 11am, SS6; 10.40pm, SS7.
- Tuesday: 7am, SS1; 1.40pm, SS7.
- Wednesday: 10.40am, SS6.
- Thursday: 11.30pm, SS5; 9pm, SS7.
For more information contact:
Vaughn Bishop
082 5582521 | 
