EP pair make SA Schools’ side
Players will face top tennis juniors on UK tour
EASTERN Province juniors Janre Viljoen and Wilanie van Zyl have been included in the South African Schools’ tennis team, which left last week for a tour of the United Kingdom. On the eve of the Wimbledon Championships, the team were awarded with their blazers and colours by SA Schools Tennis chairman David Jaquire in a ceremony at a hotel close to OR Tambo International airport on Thursday.
The team of 22 junior players will undertake an invitational tour that will see them take part in two ties against some of the top junior tennis players in the world.
The first tie will be against the Academy of Glastonbury and will be followed by a tie against The Sutton Academy.
The tour for the team was planned just before the beginning of Wimbledon, giving the juniors an opportunity to attend the championships on the first two days. Wimbledon began yesterday.
Tennis SA acting president and acting chief executive Gavin Crookes congratulated the players on being selected for the team.
“Representing your country is an honour,” Crookes said. “I urge each one of you to be exemplary ambassadors for our magnificent country.
“I know we can count on you to be responsible, accountable and at all times to show the sportsmanship that South African’s are renowned for.
“Be humble in success and be exemplary role models for all that you play against and meet.
“I wish each one of you and the team a successful tour knowing that you will do your best on and off the court.” The team is:
Boys: Hubert Badenhorst (Gauteng North), Sandil Bhika (Gauteng North), Ryan Little (Bor), Thembokwakhe Makhanya (KZN), Hugh Morgan (Gauteng Central), Charles Morkel (WP), Chao-Hong Peng (Gauteng Central), Khanya Ramokgopa (Gauteng North), Wikus Robbertse (Bol), Juan-Louis van Antwerpen (Gauteng Central), Janre Viljoen (EP), James Weatherhead (Gauteng North). Coach: David Jaquire (Gauteng North)
Girls: Ester de Kock (Gauteng Central), Lienke de kock (Gauteng North), Aletta Macheli (Free State), Neo Mafuyeka (Gauteng Central), Sophie McDonald (KZN), Lungile Ntuli (WP), Cara O’Flaherty (Gauteng North), Hanna Plageman (KZN), Daniel De Villiers (Free State), Wilanie van Zyl (EP).
Coach: Jill Meyer (KZN)