Twenty-five years ago, Flip File heard about an incredible organisation providing sports and lifeskills programmes in local communities to all children, irrespective of race, gender or social class.

That organisation was Sporting Chance, and its philosophy was to get children off the streets, and away from digital devices, and instil in them a love for physical activity and sport.

With disciplined, structured coaching that strikes a balance between sports, academics, and 'play', Sporting Chance has developed some of South Africa's most promising sportspeople.

As a company that has youth development close to its heart (our files are, after all, the preferred creative and academic file for kids!), we immediately understood the importance of this work.

We appreciated Sporting Chance's vision to provide opportunities for sporting achievement and personal development to as many children as possible, empowering them to become competent, confident South African citizens.

We got on board and supported Sporting Chance, and are proud to say that 25 years later, we're still a proud sponsor of this organisation and the vital work it does.

"It was Madiba who famously said that 'sport has the power to change the world'. We believe that too, as we've seen firsthand how events like the Rugby World Cup can unite a nation and bring people of every culture together. A proudly local brand, we love the idea of helping to build South Africa from the ground up, through our children, and a love of sport," says Gary Browne, Flip File Managing Director.

Brad Bing is the brains behind Sporting Chance. He started the organisation in 1990 when he realised that the number of people playing sport, and wanting to learn to play different sports, was set to explode following the end of apartheid.

Since then, Sporting Chance has gone on to help hundreds of thousands of children to learn basic sports skills - some of which have grown into homegrown champions in their disciplines. Sporting Chance has built ip  a network of dedicated coaches who work with the children,in both affluent and under-resourced areas to help these youth realise their sporting dreams.

But three decades on, and Sporting Chance needs help. Brad says that interest in sport at government schools has started to decline, mostly as a result of the prohibitive cost of sports equipment and a lack of quality coaches, as well as support for club sports in under-resourced areas.

"We need businesses to invest in sport - but not only at the top, in national teams, but at the bottom where those sporting heroes start their journeys. So many sports stars who go on to represent South Africa begin their careers at sports clinics like ours. But we need more support in under-resourced areas to enable our coaches to keep on safely working there, and to continue assisting to develop our youth," Brad explains.

As Flip File, we're going to maintain our sponsorship of Sporting Chance, but would love to invite all our customers to help if you can. If you've got corporate contacts looking for a solid CSI opportunity with an excellent track record, please consider supporting Sporting Chance.

All donations and sponsorships, no matter the size, are appreciated. And if you'd like to get involved in other ways, get in touch with the Sporting Chance team (e-mail: gm@sportingchance.co.za; WhatsApp 066 250 4437 or visit www.sportingchance.co.za)

Together we can help to develop our youth, keep them away from negative influences, and help them thrive.