Two Selected For Gauteng East Squad Training Two of young 13 year old girls have made another step up the ladder in the quest to become better players. Thando Xolo (left of picture) and Angel Nkosi have been invited to join the Gauteng East squad and will now receive coaching from the provincial coaches each week. The sessions are for two and a half hours and include fitness work, drills, conditioning and strategy. This is a “red letter” day for the development programme as it now gives the other players the incentive to achieve more both in training during the week and tournament play. Both Thando and Angel have had two very good tournaments with Thando finishing fourth in one and third in the most recent in the singles. In doubles together they lost narrowly in the semi final 8-10 final set tie break of the first and finished runners up in the recent Trials. We managed to get both of them to a more advanced coach for two sessions prior to the Trials and the improvement in Angel’s game was a joy to behold. More consistent in her shot making and a more effective serve which combined saw her finish a highly creditable fifth in singles. After the recent Trials it is hoped (and expected) that they will both be invited to take part in the second set of Trials in 2021 and fingers crossed that both will be selected for the inter provincial team in 2021. The fact that they have been recognized by the selectors is a feather in the cap for the whole programme as it shows that hard work and dedication will be rewarded in time.
