Former South African tennis star Amanda Coetzer and her alma mater, Oranje Meisieskool (OMS), will host the tenth Amanda Coetzer Challenge in Bloemfontein this month.
The Challenge forms an important part of the OMS centenary celebrations being held this year.
Coetzer also announced that she had joined forces with banking giant ABSA and leading healthcare and medical scheme Resolution Health to sponsor the Challenge – the country’s leading girls’ tennis event.
The Challenge comprising of a high school and primary school event form part of Coetzer’s “Learn Tennis, Love Tennis” Foundation.
School girls from around the country will converge on the OMS courts in the Free State capital from Thursday 24 May to Saturday 26 May, hoping to emulate the exploits of one of South Africa’s most successful tennis players, Amanda Coetzer.
“I am thrilled to be a part of this annual event that my old school hosts,” said Coetzer. “I have always been a big fan of South Africa and even though as a professional most of my days were spent out the country, my deepest desire is to see the successful development of tennis amongst South Africans, especially school girls.”
“Tennis is generally seen as an individual sport, but this event adds team spirit, which builds up lasting friendships – important for any individual who hopes to get the most of the game,” said Coetzer.
In 2002, as a demonstration of her firm commitment to tennis development in South Africa, Coetzer expanded the Challenge to host a primary schools’ tournament played on the same basis as the high school. The primary school event will be played from Thursday 17 May to Saturday 19 May.
“This event is even more special because of the inclusion of the primary schools players. Junior tennis players begin playing at the under 12 level, so to support this primary schools initiative can only assist the budding stars of tomorrow by giving them the rare opportunity of playing competitively in a team format," said Coetzer.
Six of the top girls’ high schools teams from around the country have been invited to compete in this event: Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhoef from Stellenbosch; Hoërskool Waterkloof from Pretoria; Hoërskool Cradock; Hoërskool Stellenbsoch; Pretoria based Hoërskool Menlop Park; and hosts Hoër Meisieskool Oranje.
The Primary School teams participating will be: Gene Louw, Claredon Primary School, Eikestad Laer, Outeniqua Laerskool, Laerskool Menlo Park and Primere Meisieskool Oranje.
Co-sponsors for the event are official suppliers to Amanda Coetzer: Wilson, Nike and Powerade.
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