Page 2 - SPLS 104 ASSESSMENT TASK 1

ESSAY:

It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving-Mother
Theresa.(Unknown, 2021a) The above quote by Mother Theresa strengthens the importance
of giving to individuals that are less fortunate. Giving should come out of a place of love and
not just simply giving as a means to receive recognition from society as a whole. Below I will
cover a very controversial topic specifically to that of non-profit organisations vs profit-
based organisations. I have decided to dive into the organisations of VUSA rugby and
learning academy as my choice of a non-profit organisation and the Western Province rugby
academy as a profit-based organisation. I will be looking at the comparisons and or
characteristics between the two sporting organisations as well as the advantages and
challenges of each organisation as a whole.

VUSA rugby and learning academy is a programme targeted at underprivileged children
within townships and less fortunate areas. Their goal is to provide rugby as a means to help
the children grow, may it be physically, mentally and even overcoming everyday obstacles
that they may experience in life as a child. VUSA is very prevalent within the Langa
community however they have realised that there is a demand for their service in many
other townships as well and have thus branched out respectively. VUSA was birthed in 2001
and finds itself 20 years old within this current year. VUSA is a non-profit organisation and
relies solely on sponsors and funds from the government to keep them going. The
organisation is run by 8 main members with respective staff members that are temporarily
employed and even make use of volunteers to help train the kids. It is important to not that
no one own a non-profit organisation but rather is run by a collective group of
individuals.(Unknown, 2021c)

The Western Province rugby academy main goal is to help players transition from the junior
ranks to the senior ranks. At the academy players are pushed both mentally, physically and
psychologically and are encouraged to look not only as rugby as a means to a better future
but they also become familiar with the opportunities out in the world for offer. The
academy has teamed up with the South African Rugby Union to help players develop with
their positions by exposing them to the same fitness protocols that professionals experience
within rugby. The academy is profit driven and requires all applicants to pay an annual fee in
order to participate in the programme. The Western Province academy finds itself in 6
provinces to this current day and constantly strives to uplift and encourage athletes to enrol
within their programme.(Unknown, 2021d)

Now that we have an understanding of the two respective organisations, I will be discussing
the comparisons/similarities of both VUSA academy and Western Province Academy. It is
clear and evident that both organisations main goal is to uplift the players/athletes that
attend their programmes, however the vast difference is that VUSA academy focusses more