Wits is pioneering a R250 million sports complex for young athletes

SPORT

Johannesburg has a new sporting facility to nurture world-class athletes and academics in sports science and sports research, thanks to Wits University. 

On Thursday, the renowned tertiary institution unveiled a R250 million Brian and Dorothy Zylstra Sports Complex at the university's Education Campus in Parktown.

According to Brian and Dorothy Zylstra's children, who engineered the establishment of the state-of-the-art facility through a legacy investment, the complex is meant to benefit Johannesburg and the world at large.

In an interview with City Press, John and Philip Zylstra, who spoke on behalf of Zylstra's family and the Skye Foundation at the launch, said their parents played an integral role in the donation of R200 million, while the remainder was a contribution from the institution. 

"The sports complex is meant to help everyone in the area. The schools are going to be using this facility, as well as other universities, international sport teams, national sport teams, Olympic athletes.... and its intention is to serve a whole broad range of people and not just Wits," said John.

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Philip added: 

Wits vice-chancellor and principal Professor Zeblon Vilakazi expressed gratitude towards the donation made by the Zylstra family and lauded the gesture as one of the largest family donations in the history of Wits.

"We thank the Zylstra family and the Skye Foundation for their generosity and ongoing support of their alma mater. This is not just a facility but a commitment to providing the best possible environment for our students to excel in academic life and chosen sports as we nurture and mould them into well-rounded individuals."

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The sports complex will also be home to the Wits Sport and Health (WiSH).

Professor of sport and exercise medicine at Wits and director of WiSH, Jon Patricios, said: "Wits University has to make this into an operation that does justice to this wonderful donation and it's going to take the support of everyone and great leadership.

"We have the capacity and we have the history. There is no doubt that Wits continues to produce wonderful graduates and we will tap into the resources that the faculty has and the network that WiSH has created around greater Johannesburg, South Africa and the world.

"We will use it to grow the Brian and Dorothy Zalstry Sports Complex, Wits sports and health and a network that will support it because we truly believe what we are starting here will be a game changer." 

Brian Zylstra graduated from Wits University with a bachelor of commerce in 1957 and his wife, Dorothy Zylstra, with a bachelor of arts honours in 1964.

Brian was a rugby player and captained the Wits First XV team, earning Transvaal colours and Wits Full Blue.

Wits students have benefited from scholarships from the Sky Foundation, which was founded by Bryan in 1995.