Final tournament of the year Although the year has been disrupted due to the pandemic, Gauteng East Tennis Association managed to squeeze in another one day event for the up and coming players with a doubles competition on 6 December. We entered three couples and rewarded those who had shown commitment and had made progress since we were able to recommence training in September. The two young boys, both aged 10, Sipho and Wandile have shown real interest in the game and been regularly at training and this showed when they finished 4th in their group. They are both improving rapidly and within the next year or two will be able to compete in the sanctioned Tennis SA tournaments. The two promising girls, also aged 10 and 11, Thando and Angel finished 5th and again their presence at training has been an example to others and again the improvement in their game is seen at events like this. The two real youngsters Siyamthanda and Banele who are both aged 8, finished a creditable 7th in company older and wiser than themselves. Their keenness for the game knows no bounds and it is harder to get them off the court than on!! I must pay tribute to Desire Wilson who runs the junior tennis at Gauteng East for her dedication to ensure that tomorrows provincial players have this tremendous grounding in their formative years. That is three events that Desire has organised since lock down was lifted in September and the fact that only 50 people are allowed to be at the courts and no parents or coaches are allowed on site, has not deterred her enthusiasm to ensure that the children come first. Those who took part are pictured with their coach, Michael Lelosa.
