Global Sports Academy was one of the original youth community sports programme that started in the Wesley community in Puketāpapa to nurture and equip our young people. Providing opportunities with a hope to use this vehicle to empower our young men and women to be positive athletes on and off the field.
Over the years, GSA has influenced over 300 young athletes all at different levels and different codes. Part of the GSA mentoring was linked to the motto of Global Hope Missions, which is Live Local – Think Global. This is where the sports missions was developed. The international mission trips to Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong, Pacific Nations were encouraged for our athletes to experience international tours that involve tournaments, and a mission to serve at their local community.
Adventure is one obvious result of international travel, and many of our GSA athletes have testified the shift of perspective and the life changing experience international mission does. Some of the local young people that participated in the tours have never flown before, and most have never been to a foreign country. This helped athletes to gain confidence and inner strength, healthy mindset being in a new environment. This also helped broaden perspectives and learn more about other cultures beyond a classroom.