Forming a key part of Tennis South Africa's most impactful development initiative, children in Central Karoo and Nkomazi recently benefited from BNP Paribas RCS Rising Star Tennis activations which are again taking place around the country this year.
Over 60 children from schools in Newtown, Rustdene, Hillside, Maruysburg and Kwa-Mandlenkosi were invited to participate in a school’s tennis clinic in Beaufort West, Central Karoo earlier this month.
Tennis equipment including rackets, balls and mini-tennis nets were donated to the participating schools to help them gear up for the nationwide BNP Paribas RCS Rising Star Tennis campaign.
A coaching clinic was also held with two beneficiaries of the BNP Paribas Coaches Mentorship programme, as part of TSA's long-term goal to provide opportunities and offer skills development to kids from historically disadvantaged communities.
The popular BNP Paribas RCS Rising Star Tennis programme then moved to Malelane, Nkomazi for another successful clinic.
Over 95 primary school players took part in the activation, with more equipment being donated to participating schools in Mpumalanga.
Once again, three beneficiaries of the BNP Paribas Coaches Mentorship programme conducted a coaching clinic imparting the wide range of skills they have gained from their inclusion in the programme.
The BNP Paribas RCS Rising Star Tennis schools clinics are among a handful of activations being held in the build-up to the highly anticipated third edition of the BNP Paribas RCS Rising Star Tennis series.
The clinics also include live and virtual sessions with BNP Paribas Rising Star Tennis ambassadors, who include Wimbledon finalist Kgothatso Montjane, rising star Kholo Montsi, and award-winning sports presenter Carol Tshabalala.
The next training clinics will be held in Namakwa, Northern Cape in July, followed by another clinic in Mafikeng, North-West.
The BNP Paribas RCS Rising Star Tennis series has been expanded this season, to reach more children and schools and making a bigger difference through grassroots development as the tournament returns for a highly anticipated third edition in 2022.
Again, catering for primary school, high school and wheelchair tennis players, the 2022 series will include over 1200 schools.
The BNP Paribas RCS Rising Star Tennis district and provincial events will be held between June and October, and the Finals will be played between 4-6 November in Gauteng.
