20 quickfire questions with ... Ernst van Dyk

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TODAY: South African Paralympian superstar ... ERNST VAN DYK

1. Nickname/s: Ernie

2. Greatest sporting moment for that you can recall: Winning the Rugby World Cup in 1995

3. Childhood sporting hero: There were so many but Franz Nietlispach stood out in my sport

4. Greatest sporting moment personally: 2004 Boston Marathon - cracking the 1 hour 20 minute barrier for a marathon

5. Game or sporting event that you could watch on repeat: SA winning Rugby World Cup 2019

6. Sea or river: Sea

7. Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate

8. Favourite holiday destination: Herolds Bay

9. Banana or pineapple on a pizza: Pineapple

10. What would your last meal be: Steak and chips

11. Favourite superhero and why: Thor - just love the way Chris Hemsworth portrays his character

12. If a movie was made about your life who would play you: A younger Sylvester Stallone

13. 3 things you would want with you on a desert island: A dog, a knife and some flint

14. Current series addiction: Narcos

15. Do you have a favourite joke: There are so many ...

16. Best piece of advice you have ever received: “Spread your energy”

17. Hobby: Making things with my hands like woodworking

18. How does Sport for Good relate to you: Sport has given me so much, it taught me good principles to be a better person, husband and dad. It also taught me about forming habits, what real commitment means and perseverance through adversity

19. Laureus programme that you have interacted with, and what they do: The Youth Empowerment through Sports (YES) programme. The YES programme is one of the exciting ways that the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa is empowering and inspiring youth leaders in Africa to use sport for the good of their communities. Launched in 2012, the programme focuses on equipping youth with the technical, vocational, entrepreneurship and life skills needed to develop sustainable livelihoods. The programme targets school leavers between ages 18 to 25, with particular focus given to young people who are passionate about sport and the upliftment of local communities

20. What are you and/or your family doing over this time to ensure you keep mentally and physically healthy? I’m in the fortunate position that I can work a full day from home in my job as sales manager at Össur South Africa. Currently working hard to keep my team occupied, motivated and focused so when we get through this we can hit the ground running. Besides that, I’m trying to cook as many meals as possible to assist Suzanne who has taken charge of the home schooling. We took on a woodworking project with the kids to build a cupboard for all their gear that ends up around the house after school and they did a great job!

Who is Laureus?

Laureus is a global movement that celebrates the power of sport to bring people together as a force for good. The first Patron of Laureus was Nelson Mandela. At the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000, President Mandela said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers.”

This has become the philosophy of Laureus, the driving belief behind all they do.

Laureus combines Laureus Sport for Good, the Laureus World Sports Academy and Ambassadors Programme and the Laureus World Sports Awards to form a unique organisation that uses the inspirational power of sport as a force for good.

Laureus Sport for Good South Africa

The Laureus Sport For Good Foundation Trust South Africa is a local chapter of the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation. Launched in 2002, SA was the first regional office to be established by Laureus International.

What is the Laureus Sport For Good vision? “Using the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage. Proving that sport can change the world”.  The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa supports over 30 projects nationwide. Every programme supported addresses at least one of the following six social issues, which are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: 

• Health: Enhancing mental wellbeing and encouraging healthy behaviour change

• Education: Increased access to and completion of education

• Women and Girls: Promoting equality, empowerment and safety

• Employability: Developing skills and creating pathways to employment

• Inclusive Society: Creating communities which embrace ethnic, cultural and physical differences

• Peaceful Society: Resolving conflict, promoting community peace-building and creating safe spaces

For more information: https://www.laureus.co.za/