360º PERSPECTIVES | ISSUE 4 | 2015/2016
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experiences they acquired through sport. “Sport is one of the tools for developing communities. It opens up opportunities for children to be empowered,” said Goldschmidt. “We have travelled to countries that we would never have visited if we were not in sport,” added Williams. Goldschmidt and Williams, who were both able to study at UWC through sport bursaries, appreciate the way the University has assisted their sport and career development. Goldschmidt feels that UWC has opened many avenues for his personal and career advancement. Williams said, “Sport gave me an education, education gave me a job, the job gave me a better salary and I live a good life. I would not have any of these if I was not at UWC and in sport.” Hoping that their achievements have inspired other beach volleyball players at UWC, they have offered to assist with their training. “Whoever wants to come and play with us is free to join. It’s always nice to have other people to play with,” said Williams.
June 2013 and the FIVB Beach Volleyball Championships in Poland in July of the same year. As is the case in many other countries, beach volleyball is not a well-supported sporting code financially. Despite its undoubted popularity and crowd-pulling appeal, beach volleyball (and its indoor cousin) does not attract large corporate sponsorship nor are prize moneys large enough to sustain the top volleyballers. Goldschmidt and Williams consequently often need to raise money to fund their attendance of tournaments and fund other costs out of their own pockets. Despite these sacrifices, they are grateful for the opportunities and
UWC alumni and beach volleyball stars Leo Williams and Grant Goldschmidt missed qualifying for the Olympic Games.
Sport gave me an education, education gave me a job, the job gave me a better salary and I live a good life. I would not have any of these if I was not at UWC and in sport. Leo Williams