Four schools emerged triumphant at the weekend after winning their categories at the Gauteng East Tennis Complex in Benoni, with the 2024 RCS Rising Star Tennis series coming to a thrilling close at the annual National Finals.
At the back end of another successful campaign of Rising Star Tennis, which included over 3 000 players representing primary schools and special schools at district and provincial events across South Africa, the country's best young players showcased their immense talent in the battle for coveted titles.
In the primary school category, Oranje Meisieskool won the girls' division for the fourth time, extending their dominance at the National Finals. Hammanskraal took second place and Laerskool Courtraai finished third.
Among the boys, Umhlali Preparatory School won their first title at the National Finals. Hammanskraal again grabbed the runner-up spot and Clarendon Park ended third.
In the wheelchair tennis category, Meerhof School lifted the girls' trophy ahead of Ithembelihle School.
The boys' wheelchair tennis division was won by Open Air School, with Adelaide Tambo School finishing second and Helen Franz School taking third.
"Congratulations to all the teams that competed in the National Finals, and to those who managed to win the RCS Rising Star Tennis titles in their various categories," said Tennis South Africa President Gavin Crookes.
"We are proud of the success of this campaign which continued its tremendous growth in the fifth season of RCS Rising Star Tennis. This development series has played a significant role in taking tennis to areas of South Africa we could not have reached before, empowering the youth through sport, and we know it will continue to go from strength to strength."
As proud sponsors of the RCS Rising Star Tennis Initiative, senior management including Mariné van Brakel, RCS Group Deputy CEO and Sandi Richardson, HR Executive, RCS were in attendance at the Finals, and awarded trophies to the winning players.
"At RCS, we are incredibly proud to support the Rising Star Tennis Initiative, a project that embodies our commitment to empowering young people across South Africa. Seeing previously disadvantaged schools like Hammanskraal and first-time podium winners rise to the top is a testament to the talent and resilience these young players bring to the court. This initiative helps open doors for children from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, fostering their passion for sport and giving them the chance to compete at a national level. We believe in the transformative power of sport to uplift and unite communities, and we're honoured to be part of this journey where we continue to see significant growth in participation, and the positive impact to these children” says Mariné van Brakel.
A sport project with a purpose, RCS Rising Star Tennis aims to create opportunities for primary school boys and girls, as well as kids living with disabilities, from all communities and to increase youth participation in tennis and to promote grassroot tennis.