Top tennis talent in SA rewarded at Rising Star Tennis series
Top tennis talent in SA rewarded
JOHANNESBURG, October 25 (ANA) – Bringing a close to the second edition of the nationwide campaign, the winners were crowned over the weekend in the BNP Paribas Rising Star Tennis series.
The programme, which expanded this year to include primary schools, high schools, and a wheelchair tennis category, began with more than 3 000 young players showcasing their talent in 30 district tournaments around the country.
A total of 55 teams ultimately progressed to the Rising Star Tennis National Finals, competing for top honours at Arthur Ashe Centre in Soweto and Groenkloof Club in Pretoria between October 22 and October 24.
In the high school division, St. Stithians College won the boys’ competition and Oranje Meisies emerged triumphant in the girls’ contest.
Among the younger primary school players, Grey College successfully defended their title coming out on top in the boys’ tournament and St Peter’s Prep lifted the girls’ title.
In the first season of an exciting wheelchair tennis competition, Adelaide Tambo School dominated the tournament, winning both the boys’ and girls’ titles.
In its second season, aside from expanding to include more players, BNP Paribas RCS Rising Star Tennis made some significant progress in its attempt to grow tennis through grassroots development.
A new phase-feeder programme was introduced, along with virtual masterclasses for players, and the participants had opportunities to interact with Rising Star Tennis ambassadors Kevin Anderson, Kgothatso Montjane and Kholo Montsi.
At the National Finals, programme ambassadors Montjane and Montsi also conducted coaching clinics to impart their skills on the nation’s future stars.
As sponsors of the RCS Rising Star Tennis Initiative, senior management including Kieran Fahy, Head of Territory, BNP Paribas South Africa and Regan Adams, CEO, RCS were in attendance at the Finals, and awarded trophies to the winning players. – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman
