Lacoste and Sport Impact announce the launch of the “Play, Learn & Thrive Collective” programme in Africa

The two entities support local organisations in the development of programmes combining sport and education. This collaboration includes a progressive development of the “Play, Learn & Thrive collective” programme by 2026 in 5 countries on the African continent where the Lacoste brand is currently present with its local partners. In 2022, two initial projects are planned in Morocco and South Africa.

The “Play, Learn & Thrive” programme will make it possible to implement various initiatives to make equal opportunities a reality for young people:

• social integration through sports lessons and participation in tournaments in disadvantaged areas;
• sustainable schooling by combining sports activities with an educational and personal development programme;
• a professional integration programme in close collaboration with Lacoste’s partner in each of the target countries.

Alexandra Van de Vyvere, Director of the Lacoste Foundation: “Dedicated to the social and professional integration of young people in vulnerable situations, the Lacoste Foundation aims to help them develop their full potential. Thanks to this programme combining sport and education, these young people will be able to acquire the soft skills that will be useful throughout their lives – as well as the technical skills necessary for their future professional integration.”

Nelson Camara, Executive Director of Sport Impact: “The deployment of this inclusive programme is in line with our mission to democratise the use of sport in response to the continent’s economic and societal challenges. We are therefore very happy to begin this multi-year and multi-country collaboration with the Lacoste Foundation.”

In Morocco, the organisation TIBU Africa has been selected to implement the “Play, Learn & Thrive collective” programme with its beneficiaries. 90 young people will be supported in regular tennis practice to develop their academic and social integration skills. At the same time, a professional integration programme will be carried out by the Safari Group – Premium Retailer, distributor of the Lacoste brand in the Kingdom – to support 10 young adults in developing their technical skills and access to employment.

A programme following the same philosophy will be launched in South Africa, in the Soweto district of Johannesburg by the end of 2022.

Download the press release here.