Learning through PLAY is like learning without having to try. I have always been a huge believer in mentors. I learned from my years of Whitewater kayaking that playing is the best way to learn. I also agree with Nelson Mandela who said that “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire… It speaks to youth in a language they understand”.

During the peak of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Africa I was searching for a way to reach people with our conservation messages and protect wildlife. I thought: ‘imagine if we could link the passion for sport, to the passion for wildlife, we could not go wrong’. Coaching for Conservation began in 2004 in a the single village of Shorobe where we sponsored the Wild Dog football team. It has evolved over the years to focus on kids. Ilove that we have now reached over 60K + primary school children; some who now care for their own domestic dogs, some who are ‘sad that animals are suffering’, and some celebrate trees, but all who have been heard chanting the CC Respect Cheer of “Respect yourself, Respect each other and Respect your environment” as a daily affirmation of who they are and what they believe.

My goal is to continue to adapt and scale the program to new conservation challenges, different animals, and their different habitats to help inspire an entire generation of kids who are not just told to care, but become kids who genuinely care.

WELCOME POTENTIAL COACH

Are you interested in a career in Conservation Education?