Players of the Bloemfontein-based Flamingo B&G Tennis Club made significant strides in improving their game at Tennis South Africa’s Rainbow Kidz Matchplay Mania U10 tournament.
This event was hosted at the Meisieskool Oranje on 29 January.
It was the club’s first time participating in the multi-match format event, in which players competed in both singles and doubles.
The players’ improvement excited founder and coach Limakatso Motsumi (51).
She toldExpressthat the youngsters and coaches gained not only valuable experience, but great exposure.
“The players learned a lot in terms of playing the formal game, while having fun at the same time,” said Motsumi.
“We, as coaches, gained more experience in terms of organising and umpiring the matches.”
Top performers received prizes and certificates.
“This motivates them to continue participating and improving their skills.”
The club, established last year, is based in Rocklands. It has 25 members, mostly from the township, and two other coaches, Litsheoane Lekeka (19) and Goodwill Molise (22).
The club is affiliated with the Free State Tennis Federation (FSTF).
Motsumi, also a sports official at the Department of Education in the Motheo District, said she was inspired to start a development tennis club in the township because of her mission to create a platform for children to participate in sport, identify talent and develop them to their full potential.
According to Motsumi, she runs the club with her own limited resources.
“The club is not getting any funding. Children are registered and coached for free.”
Motsumi’s love of tennis coaching stems from her natural love for children.
“Upon noticing that children in township schools do not participate in tennis, I saw a need for an organised school tennis league in the Motheo District,” Motsumi said.
“I loved tennis as a player, and now I’m still sharpening my skills with the FSTF.”
