I2B Timeline | Inspired2Become

2010

I2B founded by Chris and Fanie Van Der Merwe after they decided to use the sports they love to impact the youth of SA. Chris started coaching action sports and Fanie started coaching athletics for youth with disabilities. They incorporated life skills lessons (based on Biblical Principles) into their sports club sessions.

2011

Chris Weekly Action Sports Clubs: Cloetesville, Stellenbosch (included Kayamandi), Kleinvlei, Bonteheuwel Fanie Weekly Athletics Clubs (part time): Pioneers School for the Blind & Alta du Toit School I2B’s first outreach program was launched in 2011 in Cloetesville. I2B built wooden skate ramps for Cloetesville and afterwards held a competition in collaboration with Stellenbosch Municipality and Mayor, Conrad Sidego. I2B partnered with local NGO, Pebbles Project: Started giving skateboarding and rollerblading lessons at the skatepark in Stellenbosch. One of the I2B athletes, Candy Pretorius, participated in the Regional Special Olympics and won both the 100m and 200m for women u/21. Another I2B athlete, Denswill Maans, was chosen for the IPSA games and also won silver and gold at the IBSA Games in America. Inspired2Become featured on “Keep it Real” on SABC2.

2012

I2B supported and helped raise funds for athlete, Jan Nehro, and his guide, Duane Fortuin, to take part in the London 2012 Paralympics. Four I2B athletes competed at Zone 6 – an international race in Zamibia. Marco van der Linde received silver for the 800m T13 and Denswill Maans received bronz for 100m T12. Fanie was also a guide for one of the Blind athletes at this competition. New I2B weekly action sports clubs started in Belhar, Strand and Gordons Bay. I2B partnered with Uneek Mvmnt and featured on the SABC1 program, “Play Your Part” (focus was on the Bonteheuwel skate club).

2013

I2B athlete, Ruan van Rooyen, was nominated as the junior athlete of the year for making A qualification standards at World Champs. I2B athlete, Denswill Maans, was selected to participate at the World Championships in France. I2B built new ramps for the skatepark in Strand. I2B Skatepark moved from Stellenbosch to Somerset West and the park got a new cement layer. Chris & Fanie became part of the International Sports Coalition (ISC) and joined the ISC in Florida (US) to put together free resources for sport ministries.

2014

I2B received an Unashamedly Ethical award for ethics in sport. Fanie received a Presidential Award for Athletics. Pebbles Project and Bright Lights Safe House partnered with I2B – the children started visiting the I2B Skatepark in Somerset West once a week. I2B partnered with The Mega Sports Classic in Bredasdorp. I2B started a weekly action sports club in Macassar.

2015

Fanie shared his story and his role at Inspired2Become in the “Juig” magazine. Chris became the director of Christian Skaters Africa. The I2B Skatepark in Somerset West got a waterproof shading net that covered a large part of the park. I2B set up ramps at the CS Skatepark in Paarl.

2016

Inspired2Become changed its name from “Youth Development through Sport” to “Youth Development” in general. Speech therapist, Jami van der Merwe, joined I2B as the administrative officer and also started giving literacy and language therapy at Raithby Primary School. Moose van Papendorp joined the I2B team and started coaching surfing in Strand.