Author Archives: timroche5

About timroche5

Tim joined PeacePlayers International – South Africa (PPI – SA) in 2009 and is a U.S. Fellow serving as Program Director for Chatsworth, Wentworth and Finance. As Program Director of Chatsworth and Wentworth, Tim oversees the operations and implementation of PPI – SA’s life skills and basketball curriculum. His duties as Director of Finance include budgeting, forecasting and cash management for all South Africa operations. Tim first learned of PeacePlayers International (PPI) in 2004 through his childhood friend and high school basketball teammate, Matt Minoff, who, while playing professional basketball in Israel, started PPI’s Middle East program with Sean Tuohey. Tim began his career on Wall Street as an analyst in J.P. Morgan’s investment bank before moving on to become an investment professional at Sandelman Partners, a New York City based hedge fund. Tim has a Bachelors of Business Administration (B.B.A) from the Stephen Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
by | June 8, 2010 · 12:34 pm

The Coaching Consultant: Meet Scott Mooney

Scott Mooney, a volunteer coaching consultant for PPI-SA

One of the perks of having a friend working abroad for PeacePlayers International is the excuse to take vacation to the far side of the world.  Having a friend working for PeacePlayers International in the World Cup host country should only make it easier to visit.  However, South Africa is a long (15 hours of flying from New York or Washington DC) and expensive journey that takes a lot of planning.  Luckily, I had one friend who was able to make the commitment and give three weeks of his time volunteering as a coaching consultant with PeacePlayers International – South Africa: Scott Mooney.

Scott and I have been friends our entire lives.  Since childhood, we have spent countless hours together on the court, from childhood basketball camps to high school varsity basketball and both of us have a strong passion for sports.  Scott has also chosen to make sports an integral part of his life by founding his own Volleyball apparel company (www.tantrumvolleyball.com), coaching high school varsity and Junior Olympic boys and girls volleyball, and assisting at the collegiate level for the University of Pennsylvania women’s volleyball team.  With nearly 10 years of coaching experience, Scott will add invaluable insight to the PPI-SA basketball team over his three week stay.

I interviewed Scott not long after he arrived to get a fresh perspective on PeacePlayers International’s work in South Africa.

PeacePlayers International: What made you interested in taking time off of work to come to South Africa and help out PeacePlayers International?

Scott Mooney: Obviously, I’m familiar with the program through speaking with Tim.  I really respect and appreciate the PeacePlayers mission and I think sports are a great way to reach kids.  Honestly, I wish I could be more involved, it’s a great program.

PPI: How would you compare the basketball in South Africa to basketball in the US?  And the style of play?

According to Scott, basketball in South Africa tends to be faster-paced and less structured.

SM: The game is definitely played at a faster pace here.  There is a lot of running up and down the court instead of setting up plays and working the ball around on offense (much like Americans play soccer).  I was impressed by the overall play, especially on defense, and I know the strategic elements will come along as the kids get more exposure to the sport.

PPI: What has been your most interesting experience so far?

SM: Heading out to the townships to play basketball with Claire was eye-opening.  I couldn’t believe how enthusiastic the kids were in the face of some pretty terrible court conditions compared to what I played on when I grew up.  Broken glass everywhere and some random bricks on the court.  A few kids didn’t even wear shoes.  Didn’t phase them at all.  They just laced up the sneakers (or didn’t) and went at it like, “No big deal.”  Awesome.

PPI: What lessons of being a coach can be passed on despite the differences between basketball and volleyball?

SM: I think coaching is pretty universal.  The object of the game may change, but you are always trying to foster an environment of self-improvement and teamwork.  In practice, we try to keep things fast and focused to maximize the number of repetitions a player has and replicate game situations.  During games, it’s time for a coach to encourage and motivate his players.   Most of all, keep things fun and challenging.  It’s amazing what kids can do if you empower them to play with confidence.

PPI: As a coach, how have you seen sports positively impact players’ lives?

Scott with his sister Carolyn, who played varsity volleyball at the University if Pennsylvania.

SM: We really try to instill a sense of self-confidence and discipline in our players that I think helps them outside the gym as well.  I have had a few players write to me and say that they want to be coaches one day.  That’s always extremely rewarding.  We’ve also had a few players from our teams go on to play volleyball in college and it’s a thrill to watch them play at that level.  Overall, it’s just great to see them develop lasting friendships and share a love for sport.

PPI: Finally, you extended your trip to catch a few World Cups games.  What are you most excited for and who will win it all?

SM: Tough question.  USA?  Wishful thinking, but I’m an unapologetic homer when it comes to sports.  If things don’t work out for the Americans, I’d like Bafana Bafana to come out on top.  Gotta pull for the home team!

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by | May 11, 2010 · 2:28 pm

PeacePlayers International’s Champions League in Durban

Teams from different areas come together in the May City-Wide, meaning the titles won in PPI - SA's upcoming Champions League-style tournaments will last throughout the "winter."

As UEFA’s Champions League gets underway and PeacePlayers International – South Africa prepares for its annual City-Wide Tournament, the basketball in each of PPI – SA’s seven Primary School leagues is reaching a fevered pitch.

Spectators too understand what's at stake come playoff time.

Since the beginning of February, primary schools have faced off to test their basketball skills and meet other PeacePlayers from nearby communities. Now, playoffs are coming, with a twist inspired by the UEFA Champions League.

Soccer is far and away the most popular sport in South Africa, and that is unlikely to change with the FIFA World Cup approaching.  To capitalize on that popularity, PPI – SA has borrowed the UEFA Champions League’s playoff structure for its own tournament.  The top four teams from each of PPI – SA’s seven areas of operation will play-off to determine a single champion in each area.

The bragging rights that come with being an area champion are more valuable than you might think -  the semi-annual City-Wide Tournament, scheduled for May  29th, hosts all 35 PPI – SA primary schools, but teams will be integrated, so no one permanent team will be able to claim the PPI – SA crown.  The next three weeks will be quite a finale for program activity and a great way for all participants to head into their winter (even though it’s always summer in Durban) break.

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by | April 27, 2010 · 12:58 pm

PeacePlayers International – South Africa celebrates Freedom Day

On "Freedom Day," April 27th, South Africa celebrates its rebirth as a multiracial democracy.

Every summer, the day I look forward to most is July 4th.  My day is spent hanging with family and friends on the beach, watching baseball, barbequing – all capped off with a great fireworks display.  But I rarely ever think what the day is truly about.  In fact, I never call the day Independence Day, rather always just July 4th.

Freedom Day in South Africa is celebrated for many of the same reasons the US celebrates Independence Day.  On April 27th, 1994, South Africa began as a new democracy and held its first ever election where all citizens over the age of 18 were allowed to vote.  The election marked the start of a new regime as Nelson Mandela became President and the apartheid period ended.

At the annual City-Wide Tournament, PPI - SA brings together children from across the Durban area of all races and colors to play together and improve their futures.

While PPI-SA has developed its curriculum to confront the most pressing issues that South African youth face, namely HIV/AIDS education and prevention, its original purpose was to bridge post-apartheid racial divides.  This is a critical component that we have not forgotten and will be on display during our next City-Wide Tournament.  The City-Wide will bring together over 1,000 kids from over 50 primary and secondary schools.  Based on PPI’s mantra that kids who learn to play together can learn to live together, PPI-SA will be creating mixed teams to compete for the City Wide championship.  The day will be a celebration of basketball, sport for good, and hopefully a few new friends.

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by | March 23, 2010 · 2:33 pm

March Madness Hits Durban!

The pressure's just as great on the free throw lines of Durban.

While most of the basketball world spent the weekend watching Murray State, Wake Forest, and Michigan State hit last minute game-winning shots, or picking their jaws up off the floor after seeing Northern Iowa knock off Kansas and Cornell look like one of the best teams in the nation, PPI – SA equaled the NCAA-fueled excitement in several areas of Durban with its own brand of  hoops “madness” – basketball extravaganzas.

A winning "Magic Hat" strategy.

Basketball extravaganzas serve PPI – SA much the same way March Madness does the NCAA.  Our program includes two basketball training sessions and one life skills session each week, but it is the extravaganzas that motivate our participants to work hard in both basketball and life skills practices.  The basketball extravaganzas generally bring together four separate primary schools and kick off with a shared life skills event.  These often include team-building challenges, where the schools compete in activities that encourage teamwork and the winning team then explains its stragy.  This past week, we challenged teams with “Magic Hat,” a game where teams must figure out how to get all of their members across the basketball court, with the restrictions that each person can only cross once and whoever’s crossing person must be wearing the “magic hat.”

Shaking hands before the tip-off. PPI - SA's MVPs are chosen for their sportsmanship and teamwork, not just performance.

After the life skills challenge, boys’ and girls’ team compete in round-robin play to determine the top two boys’ and girls’ teams.  The final matches pit these teams against each other to determine the day’s champion.  At the end of the matches, PPI – SA awards players and teams that display the best sportsmanship and teamwork.  With extravaganzas generally having 10+ games each, and with extravaganzas in six of our areas, PPI – SA nearly matched the 64 NCAA games this weekend.  Our highlights won’t be on SportsCenter or the topic of corporate water-cooler conversation, but our kids are just as excited and ready to become better basketball players and life skills ambassadors!

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by | March 9, 2010 · 1:56 pm

South Africa’s Largest Basketball Order!

Part of the largest basketball order in South Africa

Last Tuesday was a long awaited day for PPI-SA.  After nearly two months of waiting, South Africa’s largest basketball order was partially delivered.  In preparation for the upcoming basketball term, PPI-SA placed a January order for 250 basketballs from Mr. Price Sport, one of South Africa’s largest sport goods stores.  Apparently, we ordered more balls than Mr. Price Sport had in stock in the three South African provinces of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Eastern Cape, and Free State. Tuesday marked the arrival of 189 of the 250 basketballs.   According to the sales team, the local Mr. Price Sport branch drove to every other branch in a 150 km radius to pick up basketballs and when this method still did not fill out order, more balls had to be sourced from Johannesburg stores.  They said it was the largest basketball order they had ever seen.

PeacePlayers in Umbumbulu - note the basketballs.

This story will go down as an amusing PPI-SA anecdote, but the implications of our order actually show how unique PeacePlayers is in South Africa.  In a country with a strong basketball culture, such as the US, Australia, or Argentina, sourcing 250 basketballs would be a quick process.  The time it took to fulfill our order shows that we are one of the biggest basketball organizations in South Africa.

That's after only about six months of use.

More importantly, the new basketballs are sorely needed for our program - players use the balls so often that they wear out in six months or less! PPI-SA strives to be the best basketball training program in South Africa, and we simply can not do this without proper equipment. New equipment like this also sparks some extra excitement, which helps keep the participants interested in both our basketball and life skills programs.

Last Tuesday was a good day. A simple addition of equipment made many kids feel special.  Equally important, Mr. Price Sport has been warned that they will be seeing this order again next year.  Hopefully the order will be even larger.

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by | February 16, 2010 · 10:18 am

Who Is Ntokozo Putshuka?

Check the end of this post to learn how you can help support PeacePlayers International for free with just two simple clicks.

Ntokozo (the "N" is silent) in action.

PPI-SA relies heavily on our coaches.  It is the coaches go to schools each and every day and teach basketball fundamentals and life skills concepts to our program participants.  Without our coaches, PPI-SA’s reach would be a fragment of what it is today.  Our coaches share many qualities – many have come through PPI-SA as a player, they love basketball, and they love attention.  When I asked a few coaches if they would like to be featured on the blog, Ntokozo nearly jumped out of his seat.  Ntokozo is a great ambassador for PPI.  He loves basketball and it shows in every practice, but to get the best idea of Ntokozo as a person and a coach, let’s hear it from him.

Ntokozo and Lael, a former Felllow

Please introduce yourself.
My name is Ntokozo Putshuka and I’m a basketball coach for Assegai Primary in Wentworth.  I am also a third year student at DUT (Durban University of Technology) studying Sport Management and playing for the DUT basketball team.

How long have you been with PPI?  How did you get involved?
I was introduced to basketball through PPI when it was still Playing for Peace when I was in my 8th grade.  I had such a good time that when I got older I wanted to play in the LDP program too!  I played until I graduated from high school and got to tertiary school, DUT.  At DUT, I study Sport Management and knew if I had spare time, I really wanted to coach for PPI.  So far, I’ve found the time and it has turned out great.

Before you worked for PPI, how often did you play basketball?  What other sports did you play?
Before I joined PPI, I used to play rugby and soccer in school.  I hardly ever played basketball.  That was before PPI.  After I began playing [with] the program, basketball became my favorite sport.  Look at me now: I play for DUT and coach for PPI.  I also volunteer as a coach at a special needs school too.

Ntokozo and his fellow coaches, the key to PPI-SA's programs.

How has PPI changed the communities and that it operates in and the children PPI works with?
A ton, man.  I have been at Assegai Primary for just over two years now and I see a lot of change in the kids.  Kids couldn’t even dribble when they first started.  Now, kids want to buy balls so they can practice on their own.

How about changes in their attitudes?
That too.  I see a lot less fighting.  Name calling too.  The kids definitely still have fun with each other, but they stick together as a team.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  Where do you see PPI in 10 years?
I love sports so I’d like to be working with sports in a bigger capacity.  Maybe I’ll stay with PPI and take S’bo’s job! [S'bo is PPI-SA's Managing Director.] I see PPI continuing to change lives in a positive way.  Everyone who knows PPI loves it, so hopefully it will be here for a long time.

Tell us something interesting about Ntokozo Putshuka that you want world to know!
I love my country, but I also love Africa.  I’d love to be able to travel and visit every country in Africa to see what it is like to live in a different place.

Want to take a simple action to support Ntokozo and all of PeacePlayers International’s work in South Africa?  We’re now eligible for inclusion in the latest edition of CauseWorld, a mobile app that lets you earn “karmas” – badges backed up by donations from Citi and Kraft – for your favorite causes just by visiting your own local hangouts. Vote for PPI to be one of three new Causes included in this round. (You can find us fourth from the bottom of the list on the right.) There’s no registration required and, with just a few seconds of your time, you’ll help others support PPI for a lifetime!

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by | February 2, 2010 · 1:35 pm

PPI-SA Kicks Off 2010!

Starting the season under Durban's hot February sun.

Potential coaches at our "on-court interview" getting directions in Zulu. Coaches had to lead a session and teach PPI staff basketball fundamentals.

February always brings heat, humidity, and the first full month of the new school year to Durban.  For the past seven years, February has also brought the beginning of the basketball season to PPI – SA.  Last week, all coach trainings were completed, and this week marked the beginning of primary school try outs.

Potential PeacePlayers getting started with their tryouts.

In South Africa, PeacePlayers International operates its Primary School Programme in 35 different schools, and draws its Leadership Development Program from 20 secondary schools in four different areas.  With 39 programs operating at the same time, there is a lot of basketball going on!  The tryout period will last through the end of next week, followed by the commencement of full time program activity.  All of PPI-SA is excited for our season to begin, as we develop new basketball players and teach young adults our life skills curriculum!

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by | January 27, 2010 · 6:00 am

Welcome Claire Perry: PPI-SA’s Newest Fellow

Who better to introduce Claire Perry, our newest PeacePlayers International Fellow in South Africa, than herself?  Please read Claire’s entry on her journey through basketball and non-profit work, which culminated last week with a PPI Fellowship.

Claire on the court for Cornell.

Ask any one of my family or friends my goal in life and they will simply answer, “PeacePlayers.”  For what seems like the longest time, I have wanted to be, and worked to be, a PeacePlayers International Fellow, and I finally can say all my unlikely decisions and choices have paid off.  I am now a PPI Fellow for the next two years in Durban, South Africa.  And it feels good!

Basketball was introduced to me at age four by my many siblings (youngest of five) and parents.  Fortunately, after hundreds of hours of shooting and gaming in our backyard, and countless practices and tournaments within the nation (courtesy of my parents and siblings driving and supporting me during these endeavors), I played basketball throughout college at Cornell University.  As an economics and business major, when fellow classmates were searching for finance internships and analyst positions post-graduation, I searched for non-profit positions within the sport-for-social change sector.  PPI initially sparked my interest when my mom found an article in a national newspaper that highlighted PPI’s Northern Ireland program.  What I found most amazing about PPI, and subsequently the following programs I would work for, is how sport was taught as more than a game.  Since reading that article, my goal was to be involved in as many sport-for-social change programs as possible, leading eventually to a position within PPI.

Harlem RBI was my first introduction to this particular sector and my experiences only strengthened my desire to continue working with sport and youth.  RBI’s positive influence within their beautiful community has strengthened the area by teaching a baseball-, life skills-, and literacy-based curriculum to elementary, middle, and high school youth.  The results for RBI participants are clear: those involved in safe, stimulating activities during out-of-school and summer time score higher on tests, attend school more regularly, and matriculate high school on a higher percentage when compared to their classmates not involved in similar programs.

Claire (far right) and the Perry family.

After graduation, I continued my involvement with sports as a volunteer coach for Keene State, a Division III school, while working full time as a business analyst within the wholesale grocery business.  Always at the front of my mind, however, were my experiences at RBI and this constant desire to return to a similar RBI experience.  Next came the unusual decision of leaving a very secure and comfortable job to volunteer with AmeriCorps.  Similar to the RBI curriculum, I taught tennis, literacy, and life skills to Boston, Dorchester, and Roxbury middle school youth with Tenacity, another sport-for-social change non-profit organization.  After a brief time coaching area youth in my hometown after AmeriCorps year, I am now working for PPI.

I have talked and dreamt about PeacePlayers for so long now, of the program’s unmatched ability to bridge racial, religious, and ethnic barriers and teach awareness of HIV/AIDS and differing cultures through the medium of basketball, that to say I am actually working for PPI seems unreal. I used to read through this very blog, wondering what it would be like to be the one writing, to experience the Fellowship instead of just talking about the program. And now here I am, introducing myself as South Africa’s new PPI Fellow. Very surreal, indeed.

I am excited for the next two years as I serve under and with the most welcoming and amazing SA staff, coaches, and players.  I’m no longer hoping and wishing; I’m living my dream.  Thank you PeacePlayers!

P.S. Want to take a simple action to support Claire and PeacePlayers International?  PPI is now eligible for inclusion in the latest edition of CauseWorld, a mobile app that lets you earn “karmas” – badges backed up by donations from Citi and Kraft – for your favorite causes just by visiting your own local hangouts. Vote for PPI to be one of three new Causes included in this round. (You can find us fourth from the bottom of the list on the right.) There’s no registration required and, with just a few seconds of your time, you’ll help Claire and others like her continue working to improve the lives of children in divided communities all over the world!

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by | January 19, 2010 · 5:42 am

Getting to Know Program Manager Menzi Zungu

Menzi at an Assegai Primary Practice

Menzi Zungu is one of PeacePlayers International’s longest tenured employees.  In fact, he and Ryan Douwie were two of the first coaches that Sean Tuohey recruited in 2002.  After meeting Sean and joining him to create PPI-SA, Menzi has not looked back.  His role within the organization has consistently grown, from coach to his current position as Umlazi Program Manager.  Menzi truly is vital to the success of PPI-SA.  I asked him a few questions to get his take on the program.

How long have you been with PPI?  How did you get involved?

In 2002, a friend in Umlazi told me about the program, and since that day my life changed for the better.  I already loved basketball and, after meeting Sean, I was excited that it could become my job.

Before you worked for PPI, how often did you play basketball?  What other sports did you play?

I love playing sports and trying new things.  Growing up, I played rugby, soccer, cricket, even karate and dancing, but I fell in love with basketball during the 1992 Olympics with the Dream Team.

What do you do for PPI in your current role?

I started as a coach, and now I’m the Umlazi Program Manager.  As the Program Manager, I oversee eight primary schools and the LDP team in Umlazi.  In my role, I meet with principals, coaches, players, and school reps to make sure the program runs well.  I also coordinate games for the teams and coach the LPD team.

Menzi with Sosha Phiri and Lael O'Shaughnessy

How has working for PPI changed you as a person?

I used to be just an ordinary guy, but now people look at me as a leader and a mentor.  PPI is huge in Umlazi, and I get a lot of respect because of my job.  It is a great opportunity to get involved in the community.

How has PPI changed the communities that it operates in?

For a lot of the kids, it helps them do better in school.  PPI runs through the schools so the kids have to go to school to be a part of the program.  Staying in school will give them a lot more opportunities.  Many of the kids also get the opportunity of a lifetime to travel to other communities in Durban to play matches.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  Where do you see PPI in 10 years?

I want to have my own company and I want PPI throughout Africa!

Tell us something interesting about Menzi Zungu that you want the world to know.

I like meeting new people, sharing jokes, foods of any kind, and seeing the impact that we make in these kids’ lives.  I also want to set the world record for making the world’s biggest Magwinya.

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by | January 12, 2010 · 10:33 am

Positive Coaching in Wentworth Part 2

Assegai boys and girls before a Wentworth game.

As described in last week’s post, the Positive Coaching philosophy was implemented in Wentworth nearly a year ago and with great results.  While the last post described the ideas behind Positive Coaching, it did not explain why Wentworth was a perfect situation for implementation and how the philosophy came to PeacePlayers International – South Africa.

When I arrived in Durban last January, I came into PPI’s longest running program; since 2001, PeacePlayers International – South Africa (PPI-SA) has combined basketball and peer-to-peer education to form an after-school program, giving Durban youth an alternative direction and teaching participants about issues their generation faces.  The program has been wildly successful in many areas, with several of the area’s managers coming from within the community. However, Wentworth, a rough township rife with violent crime and drug abuse, lagged behind.

Wentworth participants are good kids at heart.  In fact, I have become very close with several of them through my duties as a coach.  However, on top of the drug abuse, crime, and violence that the children witness, they are often subject to strict codes of conduct and discipline.  It is no surprise that they are bursting with energy before each practice.  Positive Coaching has allowed PPI-SA to take advantage of that energy, rather than suppress it.

Tal Alter, the man who brought Positive Coaching to South Africa, with Chatsworth Area Manager Sharan Singh

Basketball has always been one of my greatest passions.  However, in high school, I lost my love for the game under a negative coach who took the fun out of basketball by ruling with an iron fist.  Players feared not only being benched for minor mistakes, but also being berated with personal insults.  Already beaten down by racial divides, extreme poverty, and lack of realistic opportunities, Wentworth youth similarly needed basketball to be a fun, confidence-building activity.  Yet the practices more often than not were characterized by strict discipline, push-ups and suicide drills, unintentionally creating an unpleasant and hostile environment.  It came as no surprise to me that Wentworth practices had inconsistent attendance and constant fighting.  From my high school experience, I knew the coaching method had to change, and the idea was already in-house.

Nearly the same time program activity commenced in primary schools, our then-Managing Director (now PPI Director of Operations) Tal Alter gave a presentation on the Positive Coaching Alliance, his former employer and also a sports-based non-profit.  As I watched the presentation, I knew the methods presented would work.  I loved sports as a kid when they were fun and distanced myself from them when winning at all costs became the priority.  When I approached Tal about implementing Positive Coaching in Wentworth, he strongly agreed. His mentoring and guidance played a huge role in the initial success.  While there is still much work to do in Wentworth, not to mention the work that remains implementing the philosophy in our other areas, I’m excited to see having fun be a top priority for each practice.  The smile on each child’s face shows me that the fun is back in the game.

Natania (left) and Abby are two Wentworth participants that have been brought together through basketball.

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