The involvement of students from the North-West University's (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus in the recent National School Sport Championships marks another significant milestone in the university’s growing partnership with the North West Provincial Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

Six Human Movement Science students provided practical support during the championships, which took place from 11 to 14 July 2025 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Showcasing their skills, discipline and professionalism, they offered a range of services, including athlete safeguarding, administrative assistance, basic first aid, and psychological support.

This initiative forms part of an ongoing effort to provide students with hands-on experiences that complement their academic training. The participating students were Rethabile Mmutlwane, a graduate in Human Movement Science; final-year students Lulutho Jizana and Gina Appiah; and honours students Nomcebo Dumakude, Kaybee Nko and Osego Molefi.

This opportunity is the result of a strong and evolving collaboration between the NWU’s School of Human Movement Sciences and the North West Provincial Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, which remains committed to providing practical learning environments for students. The Department’s inclusion of students at national events reflects its confidence in the quality of education and training provided by the NWU.

“We greatly value this partnership,” says Siyanda Mbatha, a lecturer in the School of Human Movement Sciences. “It allows our students to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, while also contributing to the development of sport on a national level.”

Reflecting on the experience, honours student Nomcebo remarked: “This experience was an eye-opener. It highlighted the importance of often-overlooked elements during competitions, such as mental preparation and the psychological state of players during matches. Understanding what athletes are thinking even when playing through injuries adds a new dimension to how we support them.”

As this collaboration continues to grow, plans are already in motion to involve more students in future sporting events, creating a sustainable platform for experiential learning and professional development.

From left are Lulutho Jizana, Rethabile Mmutlwane, Nomcebo Dumakude, Gina Appiah, Osego Molefi and Kaybee Nko.