The human urge to be part of a group is hardwired into our biology because, throughout our history, being part of a group was essential for survival, providing protection, food gathering and the ability to raise future generations. Ironically in our community context, the word “group” is quite often replaced with the word “gang” and it is this same biological instinct that motivates our youngsters to join gangs. We all know how that’s working out for us don’t we!
But, there are dazzling, shiny beacons of hope glittering in the dusky pre-dawn of our collective community evolution to the next level. They can be found in the form of primary school dart players aiming to score a 180 on the board as well as in their individual community development.
A 180 is the maximum possible score with three darts in a single turn, achieved by landing all three in the treble 20, symbolizing peak scoring prowess and accuracy.
The 180Plus school program (which the schools mentioned in this article are affiliated with) was established in 2018. It is a schools darts development program that includes mainstream, LSEN (Learners with Special Education Needs) and Schools of Skills, endorsed by Darts South Africa and The Department of Sports and Education. It is also the only program in SA that include PWD (People with Disabilities).
Dart Club Coach and Educator at Blackheath Primary School, Fabian Lesch explains: “The dart club offers our young learners so much more than the chance to launch projectiles at a board. The benefits include improvements in basic mathematics, hand-eye co-ordination, an understanding of what it means to focus on a target, and how to block out the noise and concentrate on an objective. But there are other more subtle, yet crucial developments at play,” says Fabian.
“The dart club culture at primary school level is somewhat unique in that it has no age restriction and boys and girls get to compete against each other as equals and team mates. This has a knock-on effect on how the learners view each other.”
Fabian invited me to attend a match between Blackheath Primary and Bluedowns Primary on Thursday, April 30 at 14:00, in Bluedowns. I mention the time specifically as an indication that these meetings often happen as extra-curricular activity and require an invested and committed educator to champion the cause and put in the extra hours.
Peter Gordon, Fabian’s counterpart at Bluedowns Primary shares his passion and commitment to the values of the project. “We are part of the MEED (Metro East Education District) and at the moment, besides Blackheath, we also compete against, Westbank, Melton Rose, Oklahoma, Falsebay, Macassar and RR Franks primary schools, with a few others due to join soon,” says Peter.
The learners in the teams have a bit of swag about them. Not in a negative way at all, but you sense that they are aware of their abilities and the growth they are experiencing through the dart club.
“We support each other unconditionally,” says the unassuming 11-year-old Fernando Frieslaar.
“What do you mean exactly,” says I.
“Like when one of us isn’t playing too well, we encourage them to keep going, to focus, to aim, to hit the target. We don’t criticize or call them names or do any of that negative stuff,” he responds.
I ask 12-Year-old Iqra Ajouhaar about the co-ed dynamic of the team and what its like to be on equal footing with boys. “It’s nice because I am understanding how boys are, their stupid jokes and how they tease you is actually their way of accepting you. And we all feel part of a team that wants to win together and be there for each other when we struggle.”
Peter says the dart club initiative definitely provides an alternative. “We all have that need to belong to something, but not all of us can play rugby or football, netball or athletics, which have become the more high-profile routes out of our past challenges. Darts impacts learners less physically, instead it develops vital social skills, like kindness, effective communication, respect and an upliftment mindset both on an individual and team level.”
From my observation it is quite clear that there is a distinct air of pride and decorum (die kinders gedra vir hulle baie goed) as the learners get the game going and the competition heats up. The smiles and banter mask a laser like focus and determination to get that dart where it needs to be on the board.
Straight Arrows: Educators Fabian Lesch and Peter Gordon, with members of the Blackheath and Bluedowns Primary Schools’ Dart Clubs
I round off my very inspirational visit by asking Fabian what the one message is that he would like to convey through this article. “More parental and community involvement, no question about it. The kids are passionate and committed, and sometimes a parent or two, or even a granny comes to a game, and it makes a big difference. I get that parents are busy, but the support of the children in our communities has a lasting positive impact on the future of these very communities. I was a learner at Blackheath Primary and now that I am a teacher there, I see the progress on the education culture, the evolution of learners and teachers. Now its time for the parents and community in general to step up and get us over the line and on to the next level.”
