South African Tug-of-War Federation

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Anton Rabe FOREWORD BY THE PRESIDENT In the past 4 years, the SATF has made great strides in the implementation of its “Top Ten in Ten” strategy (adopted in 2007) and have achieved most of the milestones set for this period. The objective set, is to move tug-of-war from its current 19th place to at least the 10th position of popular sports in South Africa by 2017. Increased participation on various development levels augers well for the future. School teams participating on junior level has set new record numbers these past 3 years. The proverbial trick is to “pull” these participants through to U/23 and senior level – a tall order given the current economic constraints, pressure on household income and vast distances athletes have to travel for top level competition. We are therefore proud (but not satisfied) that South Africa currently ranks 4th in the world for the youth (U/19) and the U/23’s and 3rd in the world for senior ladies. The immediate target is to move at least into the top 3 and to get our senior men amongst the top 5 (currently 7th). The SATF strategy is based on a sound balance between participation and increasing the footprint and exposure of the sport to all, as well as creating opportunities for top level sportsmen and women to perform internationally. Our focus is therefore equally on participation and performance. Some of the projects include: 1. The Adopt-A-School Project – our flagship development and transformation programme has produced a 26% increase in our membership base, mostly from the previously disadvantaged communities. This project has already delivered three ethnically black national athletes. The SA Junior Tug-of-War Championships held on 25 and 26 March 2011 saw 189 school teams competing over the two days of the event (compared to 144 teams in 2008). The educational benefits of the tug-of-war sport relating to discipline, respect and sportsmanship linked to the tough physical and mental endeavours required to achieve success, is an ideal combination for youth development – a potential which we hope to unlock further as this strategy is rolled out further. 2. Project IMPI is the federation’s youth development and high performance project aimed at the development and support of our national U/19 and U/23 teams. They will again compete in the 2012 World Championships in Switzerland. 3. Project AFRICAN QUEEN is the federation’s female development and high performance project aimed at the development and support of our national ladies squad. Their focus is currently on the World Indoor event (February 2012) with the goal to qualify for the next World Games in 2013 to be held in Cali, Columbia. 4. The GATEWAY Project is SA Tug-of-War’s project aimed at providing opportunities for the disabled to participate in the sport. The pride and self belief that is displayed by the mentally disabled flowing from their exposure to the discipline and physical exertion of the sport, is really heartwarming and brings a tear to the eye of many spectators and even hardened veterans of the sport. Due to the sport also lending itself extremely well to participation of able-bodied athletes with hearing and visual disabilities to compete on an even footing in normal competition, this avenue will be actively pursued in the future. 5. Project AFRICAN WARRIOR is a project focused on the development and high performance of our senior men’s squad. The senior men’s team is currently ranked 7th in the world and is on a high performance programme to ensure qualification (top 6 teams) for the next World Games in 2013 at the World Championship in 2012 in Switzerland. The International Tug-of-War Federation (TWIF) is also partnering the Federation to ensure meaningful development of the sport on the African continent. An All African Tug-of-War Championship and development seminar (coaching, judging and recording) is being planned for end 2011 or early in 2012 in South Africa. The SATF also fully support TWIF’s efforts to include the sport in the Commonwealth Games whilst the dream to be included on the Olympic programme (tug-of-war featured in the Olympics from 1900 to 1920 when all team sports were dropped from the programme) is the ultimate objective for the international “arrival” of the sport. As with most other amateur sports, the Executive Committee of the SATF and its affiliates does their work without any remuneration. We also don’t expect this as we are united in our vision to make a success of our dream and to continue to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. We trust that we can deliver the goods with the limited resources at our disposal and that the successes to date will assist to unlock further resources in our quest to be the best. Anton Rabe President

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