WE CREATE IMPACT THROUGH SPORT
Cape Town, South Africa
Created to Inspire and Nurture growth
Established in 2008, the Growing Sports Foundation Trust (GSFT) is a non-profit dedicated to fostering the social, psychological, and physical development of disadvantaged adults and scholars through in-school sports programmes in Cape Town and surrounding areas.
We are currently fundraising to restart our in-school programme in 2026, aiming to empower learners and provide employment opportunities to young adults as sports trainers.
Programmes
Our Team
Michelle
Whitehead
Founder & CEO
“Having played tennis my whole life and being one of the youngest registered tennis coaches in South Africa at the age of 17, I started playing tournaments and learning disciplines which formed a basis for my success in the business world paved the pathway for me starting a “give back” in 2008.
From 2008 until 2018 we exposed over 3000 children in disadvantaged schools in Cape Town CBD to sport, exercise, movement and particularly tennis. It is one of the most rewarding programmes I have ever done.
Cedrick
de Bruin
BOARD MEMBER
“I’m a personal fitness Trainer. I train and condition people in health & fitness and what drives me, is my love to inspire people to achieve their goals and gain confidence. I’ve been the Powerlifting champion for Western Province & South Africa and I have joined the Growing Sports Foundation to give back.
My expertise plays an integral part of the foundation’s set up and I working closely with Michelle to develop programmes that inspire both adults and children.”
Jessica
Simpson
BOARD MEMBER
Jessica, former professional athlete, had the opportunity to play tennis on an international stage. Due to a career ending injury, Jessica, entrepreneur, has a passion for developing and scaling non-profits and their impact.
Jessica joined the Growing Sports Foundation Trust in 2012 as an ambassador and inspiration for younger players. Jessica has now rejoined the core operational team and board, developing its reach and helping Michelle in strategising the growth of the foundation.
Testimonials
"I wish to take this game of Tennis, which is my passion, and revive it back to an alive, energetic, amazing social and competitive game that it once used to be in South Africa.
As a collaborative effort, we are going to be doing this at a grass Roots level – at schools – where there are almost no facilities and certainly few coaches to teach this fun game."
Michelle Whitehead (Founder)
"We are eternally grateful to Michelle and her assistants for offering this service to our school and we sincerely hope that it will continue for many more years. I am positive that with her help we will be able to train our educators so that they can continue with the programme. Michelle has become a part of Walmer EPS and we would be honoured to have this relationship continue in the future."
Walmer Estate Primary
Partners
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