News from The Ernie Els Centre for Autism South Africa, providing lower resourced families of children on the autism spectrum with free access to effective education for their child via e-learning programs.
1. Hilton Durban GameON Clinic and Golf Day
The Hilton Hotel Group recently hosted two fundraiser golf events in as many weeks and kindly nominated Els for Autism South Africa as its beneficiary charity. The inaugural Durban Hilton Cup was hosted at the wonderful Durban Country Club (pictured above) and included our first ever #GameOn Golf Clinic in Durban. Our 12 attendees were from a variety of schools and centres around the Durban area. Their caregivers, along with SNAG personnel, Durban Country Club, golf personalities Don and Muss Gammon, Autism specialist Tam Bennet, and other helpful volunteers, experienced an unforgettably fun and relaxing golf clinic. “We are very proud to say that this was our most successful, efficient clinic to date,” commented Shani Lits, Director of The Ernie Els Centre for Autism in South Africa.
The prize giving and auction took place at the recently opened Big Easy Winebar & Grill located at the Hilton Durban. A flawless four-course meal prepared by Executive Chef, Janine Joubert, was enjoyed by all and in the company of many of Durban’s ‘Who’s Who’ including General Manager of Hilton Durban Markus Fritz.
Not to be outdone, The Sandton Hilton took it upon themselves to extend the Hilton Group’s support of the Els for Autism initiative by holding a second successful golf day at the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club. This event was once again hosted by former Proteas spin-bowler, Pat Symcox, who managed the formalities and successfully encouraged the participants to reach into their pockets when auctioning for the noble cause.
“To the entire Hilton Hotel Group team, but especially Jan, Markus, Gert, and Joyce, we at Els for Autism South Africa so appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to many more exciting collaborations in the future,” concluded Shani Lits.
2. STARS shining bright
On Saturday 31 October The Ernie Els Centre for Autism, together with Johannesburg Hospital School and Autism South Africa, hosted the fourth and final sibling support group (STARS – Siblings That Are Really Special) for 2015. With the largest response we’ve had yet, lots of fun was had by all. Lefika Art Therapy Centre took aside all the siblings to make Halloween masks and for them to explore what they display of themselves to the world. The children thoroughly enjoyed this activity, evident by virtue of the fact that the group of 20 were silent and completely absorbed in the task! To counter the relative calm of the first activity, we were very lucky to have Craig from ‘Rhythm Junkies’ lead the sibling group in a music class. Craig was completely in tune with the children and had them working together to make a wonderful cacophony of music that could be heard throughout the building.
The children were thrilled to be able to express themselves musically, and they enjoyed every last minute of it. While the children were having a ball, the largest parent support group that we have hosted yet was underway. Thank you to all involved in making this the most successful support group to date!
3. Cycling for Els for Autism
Our participation in the 2015 947 Momentum Cycle Challenge and the Ride for a Purpose initiative proved to be our most successful one yet. Our 20 team members did us proud by completing this gruelling challenge – during a heatwave, no less – and also raising much needed funds for our Centre. We were particularly fortunate to have 2012 Olympian cyclist, Philip Buys, riding with the Els for Autism team, which was a real thrill for the rest of the group.
Speaking after the event, Shani Lits commented, “On behalf of everyone at The Ernie Els Centre for Autism in South Africa, I salute our amazing team: Marj Bayliss-Lane, Alastair Bayliss-Lane, Philip Buys, David Durandt, Erine Durandt, Johannes Erasmus, Ross Fitzgerald, Sean Fryer, Catharina Henning, David Kitley, Johan Koen, Gert Marx, Bjorn Moreira, Luzuko Ndyalivane, Neil Nortje, Hein Richards, Lynne Leigh Roe, Corne Roos, Lee-Ann Stretch and Hope Tyira. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!”
4. De Zalze GameOn Clinic and Golf Day attracts ‘inspiring group’
The beautiful De Zalze Golf Estate was the venue this month for our fifth and final GameOn Clinic of 2015 and saw our most experienced group of inspiring golfers from the Dream Tree School in Somerset West taking part. What a day we had! As we always say, “Autism is not GameOVER, it’s GameON”.
*Ernie Els #GameOn Autism™ is an innovative program, developed by Els for Autism, that aims to give children and young adults on the spectrum, ages 6-23, access to the game of golf. The program is aimed at developing life skills, encouraging social interaction and promoting healthy living through golf. Furthermore, the clinic is designed to build self-esteem and confidence in a fun, welcoming and supportive environment; encouraging participants to learn golf skills while practicing specific autism learning concepts.
Also doing great work in other parts of the country, special thanks must go to Ebotse Links Golf Club and Silver Lakes Golf Estate, whose staff and members have been extremely supportive in raising money for Els for Autism South Africa. Notably a great friend of the Els family, Mr Peps Pretorius, who acted as the custodian for the event held at Ebotse Links. Congratulations to everyone at Ebotse – the greens were immaculate as always! A note of thanks also to those who contributed, including: Volvo, Three Ships, SAB, Just Water, Pharmaceutical, Old Mutual, Peps Pretorius, Fred Steenberg, Visual Power and TaylorMade and Adams Golf.
Soon after the Ebotse day we were fortunate that the wonderful Silver Lakes Golf Estate hosted another equally successful Els for Autism Golf event. Again, many thanks to the event’s sponsors: Three Ships, SAB, Just Water, Hinner Koster, Philip Bronkhorst, Eben Kruger and Yolade Ellers, Toulas, Square Times, Papachinos and TaylorMade and Adams Golf. The support was massively appreciated. And our thanks also to Silver Lakes, which showed its colours as not only the number one course in Pretoria, but also a very fine test of golf. The days’ winning score was a hard-fought 93 points.
5. Ernie Els Centre for Autism South Africa: A year to remember!
This year has been an unbelievably eventful one. From the plethora of GameOn Golf Clinics and golf day fundraisers, to the inaugural Speakers Tour and Autism awareness month events, and the commencement of the E-TEAM webinar series and everything in between, it has been truly amazing from beginning to end.
We were so fortunate to start the year with a GameOn Clinic that had both Ernie and Liezl Els among our star attendees. We have had a record number of Golf Day collaborative fundraising events, which is a testament to the expanding awareness and support of Autism throughout South Africa.
This support has allowed us to continue to work with over 100 families across the country by providing free intervention focusing on customising learning, parent-led intervention. We have also had the opportunity to collaborate with several professionals and organisations, and look forward to sharing several exciting new initiatives with you all soon!
To learn more about Autism, the Els for Autism Global Foundation, as well as The Ernie Els Centre for Autism South Africa, please visit:
