This is a highly competitive multi - coded school sport league competition aimed at promoting school sport amongst learners within various school environments at National Level. Schools registers their school teams to participate in the league’s five competition levels [i.e. (1) Intra-school level, (2) inter-school level, (3) District level, (4) Provincial level & (5) National level].

The aim/purpose of this programme is to create an enabling competitive environment by providing support and increasing the number of participants in sport and recreation events.

SRSA’s target is to Increase the athlete talent base, expand the talent pool and to overall improve on the country perform internationally.

Learners from qualifying schools aged between 10 – 13, Primary Schools, Secondary Schools from 14 – 19 years.

To integrate the 16 priority sport codes (soccer, cricket, rugby netball, athletics, basketball, hockey, softball, among them) and two indigenous games (i.e.) morabaraba and jukskei) into the school sport system.
To maximize access to sport and recreation in every school within the Republic of South Africa. To further coordinate the school sport leagues, which culminate in the 3 annual national school sport championships.

Learners from all provinces and all schools within the Republic of South Africa.

Learners from various age groups from both primary and secondary schools, including the disabled compete against each during this programme.
The programme commences at local, circuit, district and provincial levels. Schools teams that reach the Provincial levels qualify to attend the annual event (South African Schools National Championships).
Inclusion of disabled learners has increased opportunities for learners from participating schools to take part in an integrated, multi-coded activity.

Programme hosted in partnership with Department of Basic Education (DBE)

Other stakeholders:

• National Lottery
• Municipalities of various provinces where championships are hosted
• LoveLife
• Coke
• Milo

The school sport programme is a key element in pursuing the vision of the Department of Sport and Recreation SA of broadening the base of South African sport.

Championships are held/ hosted by winning province.

The event is held during three seasons of the year namely, autumn, winter and spring and during school holidays to enable maximum participation.

During the 2016 School Sport National Championships the following number of learners participated in the:-