While most teens at his school were trying to figure out which single sport to pick in Grade 9, James Brooks’ friend saw something in him before he’d even picked up a glove, and nudged James into softball.
Fast-forward just two years, and that casual choice has turned into a game-changing opportunity for James Brooks, now in Grade 11 and a boarder at Westville Boys’ High School. He has earned a place on the prestigious All Stars team, and an invitation to travel to Prague, Czech Republic in October, as part of a team from South Africa, in an international softball tour.
This is no ordinary school sports tour. It’s the result of sacrifice, sweat and serious hustle. Every dive in the dirt, every extra throwing drill, every bruise … all building towards a moment that felt like magic.
“It was one of the proudest moments of my life,” James says about making the team at the IRT Softball Tournament in Limpopo. “That’s when I found out about the Prague tour. It still feels unreal.”
James only started playing softball in 2023. “I didn’t even know the rules at first,” he laughs. But something clicked and that year he made the U15A team. By 2024, he was playing for the Open Second Team.
While some players grow up watching their parents on the field, James is charting his own path. “No one in my family really plays sport. My dad did bodybuilding and my mom tried CrossFit for a bit, but that’s about it,” he says with a grin.
When he’s not on the softball field, James is playing water polo (he’s in the First Team) or rugby (currently in the Fourth Team Opens). He trains almost daily, sometimes twice a day, and still finds time to squeeze in extra softball sessions, often on his own or with a teammate.
Why Softball? “It’s fast, tactical and fun. And nothing beats the team spirit,” says James who plays outfield. His strong arm and deadly accurate throws make him a real threat to anyone trying to run the bases.
His first taste of competition came during the Dixon Wessels Softball Tournament in Grade 9. From there the journey snowballed, proving that talent combined with dedication can take you far, even if you start late.
Now, his next chapter lies 7,800km away. The Prague tour runs from October 5 to 14, bringing together the top All Stars players from across South Africa. The experience promises world-class coaching, high-level competition, and exposure that could open doors to a future playing internationally or at university level.
But the cost is heavy. More than R70 000 to cover flights, accommodation, kit, food, visas and more. And for someone like James, it’s not something he can do on his own.
“I’m the only child of a single mother who is my rock, my role model and my biggest cheerleader,” James shares. “She’s sacrificed so much to help me chase my dreams – showing up for me, even when she’s tired and worried about how we’ll make ends meet. Despite everything she gives, this dream is still out of reach.”
James knows asking for help isn’t easy, but he’s doing it because he believes in what this opportunity can become. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. It could change my life, but I need help to make it happen. I believe in me. And I believe that with your support, whether it’s through a donation, a share or simply spreading the word, this dream can still become a reality.”
James is currently raising funds through a BackaBuddy campaign and a raffle fundraiser with amazing prizes worth over R30 000. His mom, Charlene, is doing everything she can to support him, but the dream needs a community to come to life.
James doesn’t just want this for himself. He hopes his story inspires other young athletes to take a chance on sports they’ve never tried. “Softball’s still small in South Africa. If more kids get involved, we can grow the game and give others the same opportunities I’ve been given.”
One of his biggest inspirations? Cheslin Kolbe. “He might not be a softball player, but he is proof you don’t have to be the biggest to make the biggest impact. It’s about work ethic and heart, and I try to bring that into my own game, every time.”
In the future, James dreams of studying Architecture or Sports Science, possibly abroad, while playing sport at a high level – maybe even professionally. He knows it won’t be easy, but he’s used to chasing goals that seem out of reach.
Details: If you’re moved by James’s story and want to help him get to Prague, you can contact Charlene at charleneswart1811@gmail.com and you can also follow James on IG: @james._.brooks1 or FB: James B
