Coach Ntuthu

Pronoun: She/Her

Hometown: Gugulethu

Favorite Sport: Soccer

Can you tell us about your background and what led you to become a coach at the School of Hard Knocks?

Back in 2022, I was working at a youth organization called Safe-Hub as a Playmaker and Coach. Upon completing my leadership there, my former boss introduced the SoHK internship opportunity to us and decided to apply. I jokingly told one of my friends that I got the job before I even got an interview and I guess the universe always aligns you with your purpose.

How do you tailor your coaching methods to accommodate different learning styles and abilities?

Being observant and trying to see each of our participants as the individuals they are. Also, embodying compassion and empathy is crucial when walking into each school every week. This helps in gauging ways of better understanding them so that there's relatability between me as the coach and them as the participant.

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a coach, and how have you overcome them?

I've recently struggled with is my self-esteem dropping. This had absolutely nothing to do with my appearance but more about my aura and the way I felt. I was always criticizing myself and my interactions with others. Thankfully, therapy and a healthy working environment helped me through it.

Can you share a success story or a memorable moment from your time coaching at the School of Hard Knocks?

Representing the organization on the Expresso show this year was a huge deal for me. When my boss contacted me about the opportunity, I was astonished, but you know, self-doubt crept in. However, when I went back and watched my interview, I could see my growth and resilience. I knew then that to be fully polished, I needed a few rubs.

What advice would you give to students who come from a similar background as the students who attend SOHK programs?

It's really okay to ask for help & also be able to receive help. Like Coach Elvis would say, "no man is an island". Always remember that having a support structure is important for your well-being & growth.

What advice do you give to your students about maintaining their mental health and well-being?

It's really important that you create a safe space for yourself within yourself. Treat your mind and body with love and ease because when all the noise in the world goes silent, you're left inside your mind; make sure that space is the healthiest.

Organisational Overview:

School of Hard Knocks (SoHK) is a mental health and sport-for-development non-profit organisation (NPO) based in Cape Town, South Africa. SoHK has three programmes that, together, will reach 4000 people by the end of 2024, each of which seeks to address different elements of mental wellness.

The SoHK Schools programme is a 1-year intervention, working with 900 learners in grade 7 and 9, in groups of approximately 30, at schools based in or around the CBD of Cape Town. The programme provides weekly mental health-focused life skills training, using touch rugby as a way to create a non-safe space for the participants to engage with the content, and to build mentoring relationships with SoHK’s trauma-trained coaches.

The NxtGenMen programme is a 6-week intervention aimed at improving male mental health and at reducing violence perpetrated by men - and, in particular, to reduce violence against women. NxtGenMen seeks to help the men who attend the programme to have more self-awareness, to question unhealthy gender norms and to have an improved skill set for relationship management and conflict resolution.

The NxtGenWomxn programme is designed to provide adolescent girls and young womxn with the mental health resources to deal with the challenges they face in their lives. NxtGenWomxn is, like NxtGenMen, a 6-week intervention, and is aimed at improving self-awareness, self-care and distress tolerance, to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing.

 The role:

 This role will report to the Chief Executive Officer, and will work alongside the NxtGenMen Manager and Safeguarding Manager.

 SoHK is a growing organisation and, as such, the role will require a degree of flexibility and competence across a number of areas. Your role will focus on the areas specified below, however you will be expected to accommodate new challenges and responsibilities as they arise. Working hours will be capped at 45 hours per week, but availability will need to be flexible and responsive to events, priority cases and visitor needs.

Elements of the role will require work in the field, at partner schools and partner organisations, and some work will be required in the office, but the bulk of the role will allow for remote work.

Key responsibilities will include: human resource management, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, grant writing, event management, project management, and maintaining relationships with partners and donors.

Qualifications and Requirements:

·        Relevant managerial qualification preferable but not essential;

·        At least 4-years’ managerial experience working within a South African-based organisation;

·        Experience or understanding of youth programmes related to mental wellbeing;

·        Excellent interpersonal skills to build and maintain meaningful relationships with young people and organisations;

·        Experience with grant-making organisations, and the ability to write reports for the organisations’ funders;

·        The ability to develop and deliver detailed presentations to a range of audiences;

·        Excellent organisational and multitasking abilities;

·        Ability to be flexible within a fast-paced, changing environment;

·        A clear criminal record.

·        A valid driver’s licence and own vehicle.

This role is being recruited on a 12-month contract basis with possible extension.

Closing date for applications: 5pm, 3 November 2024

Starting date: January 2024 (Negotiable)

Job Types: Full-time

CLICK HERE TO APPLY. YOU WILL NEED TO SUBMIT A CV AND A LETTER OF MOTIVATION

The Organisation

School of Hard Knocks (SoHK) uses touch rugby to help young people improve their wellbeing. Our philosophy is to create a fun and safe environment that offers emotional support and physical challenges to develop learners’ inner resources so that they grow in their ability to self-assess, manage their emotions, and make better life choices.

The SoHK Schools programme is a 1-year intervention, working with 900 learners in grade 7 and 9, in groups of approximately 30, at schools based in or around the CBD of Cape Town. We offer weekly life skills training through touch rugby coaching and mentoring.

The Role

As a SoHK intern Coach, you will be part of the team responsible for our frontline delivery. Reporting to your Team Leader, you will focus on delivering our award-winning life skills curriculum and mentoring young people, and will also have responsibilities within SoHK, designed to help the organisation grow.

You will receive comprehensive training in trauma-informed psychological first aid, as well as in our award-winning life skills curriculum.

The internship will last for 1 year, with opportunities for intern Coaches to take more senior roles within SoHK in 2026 and beyond, based on performance and on the organisation’s growth.

Requirements

●        Grade 12

●        Proficient in spoken and verbal English skills

●        Demonstrated passion for sport and mental health

●        South African citizen (or legally allowed to work in South Africa)

●        18-25yrs old

●        Must be willing and able to travel to Cape Town CBD most days of the week

●        Experience in youth development is advantageous

●        You will need a growth mindset, always ready to accept new challenges and feedback

Rate of Pay

From R6000 per month

Hours

20-24 hours p/week

Closing date

25 October 2024

Interested?

If you’d like to apply for this position please fill in the Form at this link:

I'd like to apply for the SoHK Coach Position

Coach Aphelele

Pronouns: He/Him

Hometown: Phillipi

Favorite Sport: Soccer

Can you tell us about your background and what led you to become a coach at the School of Hard Knocks?

As a person who grew up in a township, the only way to escape gangsterism is through sport, so I fell in love with soccer. I played soccer throughout my childhood, but even there, it was not easy because we saw everything that was happening in our community, but I stayed focused on my studies. The reason I became a coach was because I wanted to be there for younger people than me to mentor them and change their lives. I experienced many things and made terrible decisions, but now I want them to tackle all the struggles and things they could face in life, give them tools to cope, and be able to play sports with a healthy mentality.

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a coach, and how have you overcome them?

I had a lack of confidence, and I couldn’t ask when I didn't understand, which affected my work. I did self-reflection and asked myself what I wanted to achieve. I started to challenge myself and constantly push myself to make sure I understood everything. I learned from my peers to gain my confidence back and be there for them when they needed me.

Can you share a success story or a memorable moment from your time coaching at the School of Hard Knocks?

I've had extraordinary moments as a coach and have grown up to be the person I am now. The confidence I gained there is lovely because of their excellent workplace, where we have to be able to express ourselves and learn from other people. My memorable moments as a coach were making relationships in all the schools we worked with and how participants acknowledged us and our impact on them.

What advice do you give your students about maintaining their mental health and well-being?

Mental health and well-being are very important, and if you are able to understand yourself, you can reach beyond your limits just by practicing a healthy lifestyle. I know some ways of dealing with mental health and positive well-being may be very difficult, but being open to learning new things allows change in life to be where you want to be and your strong

Coach Zintle

Pronouns: She/Her

Hometown: Lower Cross Roads and Samora

Favorite Sport: Soccer and basketball

Can you tell us about your background and what led you to become a coach at the School of Hard Knocks?

Since I was young, I've always had a passion for sports. During primary school, there was an after-school sports program that featured various sports like soccer, basketball, cricket, and netball, and I eagerly participated. Among these, soccer became my greatest passion due to my proficiency in the sport. Unfortunately, the high school I attended didn't offer any sports programs for girls. Despite this setback, I focused on my studies and eventually enrolled in university to pursue a degree. During my final year of university, I became inspired to become a SOHK coach after witnessing the impactful work being done there. I saw it as an opportunity to make a positive difference and to serve as the role model I had yearned for during my high school years. Additionally, I aimed to raise awareness among young people about mental health and the importance of self-worth.

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a coach, and how have you overcome them?

Earlier this year, my mental health was not in the best shape. This was primarily due to challenges I had faced in recent years, notably the burden of unpaid university fees. I had suppressed many negative emotions, yet the guilt and shame of not completing my studies lingered. Moreover, I realized I needed to prioritize my mental well-being as it affected my job performance and my ability to appreciate my current blessings, such as having a great job. One of the privileges of being a coach at SOHK is access to mental health services like therapy and counseling. I took advantage of these sessions and actively worked on improving myself personally, aiming to be fully engaged and realize my coaching potential. These sessions have significantly contributed to my ability to perform at my best as a coach. I feel confident in expressing my ideas and take pride in my coaching performance.

Can you share a success story or a memorable moment from your time coaching at the School of Hard Knocks?

As a SOHK coach, we receive performance reviews, and my initial one was disappointing. Instead of dwelling on it, I reflected on the reasons for my subpar performance and identified ways to improve my coaching role. I sought therapy to work on personal growth and set a goal to request weekly feedback from team leaders. By the time of my second review, I noticed significant improvement, which was affirmed by positive feedback and encouragement from my bosses and team leader. I felt immensely proud to have exceeded expectations in most aspects of my coaching responsibilities. The momentum gained from the second review inspired me to push myself further, which was evident in subsequent reviews that continued to reflect my ongoing personal and professional growth.

What advice would you give to students who come from a similar background as the students who attend SOHK programs?

We mostly go to schools with students that do not know about mental health nor access to services like therapy/counselling. I would advice the students to take care of themselves by being in touch with their emotions-even the negative ones. I would tell them to embrace being different and to remember that their background does not define their future. With determination and resilience, they can achieve their academic and personal aspirations. They must recognize that it's okay to ask for help when needed. Whether it's talking to a trusted person, seeking counselling if available, or reaching out to a trusted friend(s), seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

I advise the students to prioritize self-awareness and establish a regular self-care routine that includes activities they enjoy. Maintaining healthy habits like balanced nutrition, exercise, and sufficient sleep is crucial. I encourage them to seek support from friends, family, or counselors when needed, and to set boundaries to prevent burnout. Practicing mindfulness, staying connected with loved ones, and fostering continuous learning mindset also contribute to their overall well-being.

“We are excited to embark on this transformative journey with Investec. There is substantial alignment across our two organisations and with Investec’s invaluable support, we are poised to expand our reach and deepen our impact, enriching the lives of many young people in our communities.” - Lana Rolfe, Chief Operating Officer at SoHK.

At the School of Hard Knocks (SoHK) we use sports and mental health interventions to help South African youth overcome trauma and develop coping skills, enabling them to reach their potential. By building trust and strong relationships, SoHK coaches teach life skills, offer support, and, when needed, connect participants with professional mental health services. The program addresses the high rates of trauma among South Africa’s youth, who face an average of five to eight adverse events annually.

Investec’s involvement continues its long-standing support of rugby, which is now aimed at creating transformational change at the school level by supporting the mental and emotional development of young people.