More sponsors join Tennis Corporate Cup
Competition credited with reviving sport in Port Alfred
The Port Alfred Tennis Club promises a bigger and better Tennis Corporate Cup following the official launch of the third edition of the tournament that hits off from Tuesday April 2, over a five-week period.
Played under floodlights every Tuesday night, the Corporate Cup which has attracted eight sponsored teams up from the five last year has grown from strength to strength and has become a popular format for young and old alike.
“We’re particularly excited to welcome new sponsors aboard, including Pick n Pay, Sotheby’s and Kowie Toyota/Nexus,” club chair JoAnn van Rensburg said at the launch at Royal St Andrews Hotel on Thursday March 21.
The hotel pulled out all the stops to provide a perfectly kitted out venue for the launch of the competition that has become a top attraction on the sporting calendar.
“A heartfelt thank you to our supporters from previous years, Pam Golding Properties, Leach Pharmacy, The Royal Alfred Marina, Edge
Financial Group and Stenden SA.
“A big thank you goes out to Rosehill SuperSpar, who donated the delicious platters for our launch tonight,” Van Rensburg said.
The night tennis format and a move to refurbish the courts have rekindled interest in the sport in the region to the extent that the PA tennis club has seen membership numbers rise exponentially since the idea was hatched three years ago.
“By the end of 2021, our membership had dwindled to a mere 32 individuals,” Van Rensburg said. “We repaired the court lights, introduced the night tennis and targeted our advertising towards the working class.
“We installed LED lights on all our courts and we’ve acquired a generator to ensure uninterrupted play during load-shedding. We’re delighted to report that our membership now stands at 100,” she said to enthusiastic applause.
The tennis match-ups as previous editions have demonstrated, have a keen competitive edge to them but there is also a strong social element to the tournament, with the addition of evening braais with spouses and children joining in the fun.
Van Rensburg told the gathering the response to the format had been overwhelming with many folk “embracing the game of tennis as a means to socialise and unwind”.
The PA Tennis Club extends free use of the courts to local schools in a bid to promote the sport.
Another coup for the club has been the arrival two years ago of experienced and dedicated coach Handri Westman to the fold.
“With the help of sponsorship from the Royal St Andrews Hotel, Westman has initiated a development programme aimed at providing coaching clinics for beginners and advanced players.
“Thanks to her efforts, several students have excelled and progressed to provincial level competitions,” Van Rensburg said.
“A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated committee members, whose tireless efforts ensure the ongoing success of the Port Alfred Tennis Club.
“We wish all participants an enjoyable and competitive Corporate Cup and encourage you to invite staff, family and friends to show their support for the tournament,” she said.
Tournament rules:
Two women and two men per team.
Each team plays four matches per night: two mixed doubles, one men’s doubles and one ladies’ doubles.
Each match shall be nine games long. If it ends 4-4, a seven-point tiebreaker will be played.
One point per match will be allocated.
If the game being played goes to deuce, the very next point will be a “sudden death” point. There are no advantage points
The eight teams are divided into two pools A & B.
Teams are asked to be at the courts by 5pm every Tuesday so games can kick off at 5.30pm sharp.