The Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU) has now become the top tennis destination in South Africa, thanks to the recent unveiling of its clay court precinct last Friday.
These five new courts are supplemented by ten hard courts and two grass courts to make the NWU Africa’s undisputed leader in providing players the best, and only complete offering of tennis courts. This coupled with the NWU’s world-class facilities has again shown why the university is a hub of sporting excellence.
“It is not only a first for South Africa, but a first for the continent. These three surfaces are a unique one-stop shop that provides ease for our clients whether they be internal or external. It also attracts world-class experts and athletes from around the world. The intention always was to create a facility to enhance opportunities as well as our value proposition and offerings for our students,” explains Sheldon Rostron, sport manager of the Potchefstroom Campus.
“We wanted to create facilities that contribute to our greater community, and that also serves to drive the growth of tennis within our community and province. These surfaces will also help prepare our students and external users for major events.”
Rostron also said that the university’s collaboration with the Riaan Venter Tennis Academy has resulted in a tennis boom in the local area.
“We are also seeing our youth and students excelling on higher platforms. I think that is inspiring in itself and it means that our intention has been felt and reached. The other intention was to create a facility that enhances our relationship with Tennis South Africa as we are specifically focused on youth development,” says Rostron.
With the hosting of tennis events and camps, the expertise within the various sport science departments, the Centre for Health and Human Performance and the High Performance Institute, the NWU offers a unique, varied and valued tennis experience.
“It is also a way for us to showcase our brand and what the NWU stands for. It is our goal and purpose to provide a sustainable economic impact in our community and we are doing that through the multitude of local and global athletes we lure here with our facilities and expertise. Through sport we will continue to work hard to make a difference to our country.”