DEMOREST — While many people travel during the summer for vacations and adventures, Piedmont head softball coach Terry Martin had the unique opportunity to pair traveling the world with his passion for softball. Martin recently returned from Cape Town, South Africa after spending nearly two weeks across the globe with Beyond Sports Tours.
Martin partnered with the organization traveling to Cape Town, South Africa and spent June 5-17 abroad. The trip coupled softball clinics and competition with sight-seeing and giving coaches and athletes the chance to experience the wonders of the South African landscape and culture.
"The balance of softball and the educational part was tremendous," Martin said. "We toured a lot going sight-seeing and learning the history of Cape Town itself all the way back from the trade days and the path of the trade market."
Martin was one of three individuals from the USA South to make the trip as both Maryville and Averett had student-athletes participate with Beyond Sports.
"We worked with the South Africa Softball Federation doing clinics with their kids and we played their national teams," Martin said. "It was more clinical instead of competition, but our focus was getting in and teaching them in South Africa that they can achieve success with this sport."
While Martin was the only member from Piedmont on this trip, he believes this educational opportunity is beneficial and encourages others to make the journey in the future.
"I believe in taking that talent you've been blessed with and using it to help others whether it's giving back to your own kids one day, or traveling across the world to help someone else," Martin said. "Our athletes can take this sport and use it as an avenue to go in and see a different part of the world and gain the educational aspect as well. Overall, it's a great experience."
Beyond Sports was established in 2010 and has grown to become the world leader in international sports tours. They create mutually beneficial opportunities for US student-athletes, international athletes, and international youth to enjoy a life-changing cross-cultural experience through sport.
