Stars in their Eyes Evaluation

Project name: Evaluation of Stars in their Eyes
Client: Western Cape Provincial Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Project duration: January – June 2009
Service: Evaluation, research

A youth plays soccer in front of a graffitied wall The Stars in their Eyes project is a broad-based football development programme aimed at providing opportunities for personal development amongst South African youth in disadvantaged communities. Run in collaboration with the Stars Foundation in Holland, this programme combines football knowledge with life skills development and training to create new future perspectives.

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport contracted CREATIVE CONSULTING & DEVELOPMENT WORKS to conduct an evaluation of the Stars in their Eyes programme. Part of this evaluation included identifying the shortcomings to the successful implementation of the programme, as well as the progress made.

The research team looked specifically at:

• Progress made in football development

• Challenges experienced

• Conceptual programme design

• Programme planning

• The actual implementation of the programme.

The evaluation process took on a qualitative approach, which was necessary for understanding the experiences of those who participated in the programme. An in-depth insight into the Stars programme was gained through this methodological approach. The CREATIVE CONSULTING & DEVELOPMENT WORKS team applied a participatory process, ensuring input from all relevant stakeholders. This approach informed the evaluation, enabling the evaluation team to gain a more comprehensive understanding and insight into the programme objectives and processes.

“I found working with development Works on the ‘Stars in their Eyes’ evaluation an extremely positive experience. They were entirely professional, produced a really useful and insightful report (which we have used very much to the benefit of the project since then) and provided us with exactly what we needed at this stage of the project.” (Michael Worsnip, Director, 2010 World Cup Unit, Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport)