Lowveld Tennis Development Program

Presented by Sunrise Tennis Academy

Contact Details: Emily 076 763 0825

Background

Sunrise Tennis Academy (STA) is a tennis development platform for previously disadvantaged communities (ie. townships and rural areas) of Ehlanzeni District. Since its establishment in 2020, many kids in Emjindini, and Kanyamazane have already benefited through their Tennis Development Program. STA is collaborating with the Lowveld Junior Tennis Association in reaching far more areas in the Lowveld. This will see the establishment of eight Tennis Development Hubs in all four municipalities of Ehlanzeni District. Such a program will give kids in these areas an opportunity to learn the sport and to participate in tournaments at various levels.

STA, with the support of the Lowveld Junior Tennis Association, is implementing a capacity building program that seeks to introduce school teachers as volunteers in the development program. This capacity building program is proudly sponsored by Trans African Concessions (TRAC N4). The sponsorship goes beyond capacity building but it also includes tennis equipment that will get kids playing. The development program will create employment opportunities for young people who wish to participate as development coaches in the near future. These development coaches will be responsible for the Hubs at local level.

Sunrise Tennis Academy Team

The Academy was established by two tennis players-turned coaches (Sabelo Mathebula and Emily Kutumela) who have both undergone the Play Tennis Coaching Course through Tennis . Both coaches have been assigned the role of Tennis Development Officers by the Lowveld Junior Tennis Association. Their task is to ensure that tennis activation takes place in the townships and rural areas.

Coach Emily: • Currently ranked 7th in the country ( in her age group) • 2020 Singles Winner and Doubles Runner- Up at UGU Prokennex tournament – Margate KZN • 2020 Doubles Winner and Singles Runner Up at Growthpoint Soweto Abadala - Authur Ashe stadium Gauteng • 2020 Doubles Winner at Bababedi Doubles Shootout Tournament – Benoni Gauteng • 2019 Singles Runner Up at Growthpoint Abadala – Attridgeville Gauteng • 2019 Mixed Doubles Winner at Tie Break Bonanza – Nelspruit

Coach Sabelo:

• 2020 Doubles Winner at Bababedi Doubles Shootout Tournament - Benoni Gauteng • 2020 Singles Winner at Mpumalanga Open Tournament and Doubles Runner – Up – Nelspruit Mpumalanga • 2019 Mixed Doubles Winner at Tie Break Bonanza – Nelspruit Mpumalanga • 2019 and 2018 Winner Singles Mpumalanga Closed – Nelspruit Mpumalanga • He was mentored by coach Charl Marais, a former professional coach who was also President of Tennis Coaches South Africa.

We are currently running a coaching program in Nelspruit, Malelane, Barberton and we will soon launch in . The aim is to give small towns and opportunity to be part of mainstream tennis and for young players to participate in tournaments at various levels of the sport. We also look forward to establish our Adult Tennis Program in Malelane to give parents basic tennis skills during 2021.