Border celebrate its junior coach stalwarts
At the annual prizegiving of the Border Junior Tennis Association two tennis coaches, Peter Tudhope and Gary Thorne were given awards and thanked for their dedicated service.
In his 42-year service, Tudhope has concentrated mainly on the U10 division of the Border squad.
In paying tribute to him Maud Thorne said that in his playing days he reached great heights.
The highlight of his career was inclusion in the U23 South African squad of six players who competed in the English Grasscourt Circuit in 1972.
They were also entered at Wimbledon where he won his first round match in the qualifying tournament before going down to Eugene Scott, a US Davis Cup player.
Oliver Ive, former chairman of Border Junior Tennis, who was instrumental in the revamp of the Selborne Park Stadium, paid tribute to Gary Thorne for his dedication to junior tennis over 20 years.
In 2007 Thorne was named the captain/manager for the U16 Junior Davis Cup in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Ive said that he had attended many tournaments with Thorne both in South Africa and overseas and praised him for his ability to identify and develop the strengths of his pupils.
In addition Thorne sacrificed much time organising local junior tournaments over the years.
Ive said that he and Thorne, as Tournament Director, had worked together to bring the International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior tournament to East London. Under Thorne’s direction these tournaments were a success.
Josh Kleynhans received the Peter Tudhope trophy for the Most Promising U10 player of the year, while the Gary Thorne trophy for Sportsmanship was awarded to Teagan Bok.
Medals were awarded to those players who had been selected to represent South Africa during the year. They are Sam McQuirk, Justin Cronje, Emma Marx, Dylan Smith, Nicos Efstratiou. Championship winners: High School: Senior Border Championship for Girls: Ashleigh Judd.
Senior Border Championship for Boys: Ryan Little. Primary School: Junior Border Championship for Boys: Joseph Townes.
Senior Border Championship for Boys: Justin Cronje.
Senior Border Championship for Girls: Tarryn Emslie.