The children of Hammanskraal Tennis Club were presented with an early Valentines present through a donation of more than 20 tennis rackets at the Mandela Recreational Sport Centre on Saturday 10 February 2018.
Just Footprint Foundation donated the rackets to the Kwalata Lodge who passed them on to the Hammanskraal Tennis Club.
Chief Executive of Kwalata Lodge, Mr Charl “Maredi” Pretorius, said as part of the Kwalata Lodge community development program, the rackets were donated to the Hammanskraal Tennis Club as a tennis club they saw deserving.
“I believe this equipment will help improve the utilization of the Mandela Tennis Facility which at the moment is underutilized,” Mr Pretorius said.
Coach of the Hammanskraal Tennis Club, Mr Simon Tlhatlha, said he was delighted for the Club to have receive the donation as it will help remove children from the streets.
“This rackets will also introduce more kids to the sports and the initiative can only grow with the assistance and support of parents and the community,” he said.
He urged parents to support their kids with additional equipment required to play the sport and to make sure that kids attend training consistently.
“This sport cannot be played barefoot so tennis sneakers are a essentials that parents can assist to equip their kids. At least we have the rackets, a little more support from parents will go a long way,” he said.
Coaching clinics were held on the day with the children showing enthusiasm.
Chair of development committee for Gauteng Province Tennis Association, Mr Solly Ngwendze and Ms Trudie Conway, who represented Sport and Recreation for the City of Tshwane were also in attendance.
Hammanskraal tennis club thanked Kwalata Lodge for the donation.