St Stithians Girls’ Preparatory School, Courtrai Primary School and Helen Frans Special School emerged as national champions at the seventh annual RCS Rising Star Tennis National Schools Finals, which concluded at the Gauteng Ekurhuleni Tennis Association (GETA) Complex in Lakefield on November 1.

The three-day championship brought together the country’s top qualifying school teams and wildcard entries, with titles contested across four categories.

St Stithians Girls’ Preparatory School claimed the primary school girls’ title, while Courtrai Primary School triumphed in the primary school boys’ division.

Helen Frans Special School delivered an outstanding performance in the wheelchair tennis categories, securing both the girls’ and boys’ titles.

This year’s finals marked the biggest year yet for the RCS Rising Star Tennis programme, which recorded 891 school-team entries nationwide, representing a 6.7% increase on the previous year.

Since its launch in the 2019/20 season with 361 entries, the programme has more than doubled in size, underlining its growing impact on school tennis.

The initiative provides free participation for primary school learners and learners at special schools, helping remove financial barriers and making tennis more accessible to children from different communities.

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RCS CEO Regan Adams congratulated the winners and participants, highlighting the importance of creating opportunities for young talent:

“Congratulations to all our RCS Rising Star Tennis champions! It has been inspiring to witness the excitement, enthusiasm and passion these young players bring to the game.

“At RCS, we believe in the Power of Possible, and we’re proud to play a part in creating opportunities for young talent to grow, shine and realise their potential, both on and off the court,” said Adams.

Tennis South Africa (TSA) general manager Anthony Moruthane said the programme continued to play an important role in broadening access to the sport and developing future champions.

“The true success of Rising Star Tennis lies in breaking barriers, creating opportunities for children of all backgrounds and abilities, and inspiring future champions.

“Congratulations to all our winners and participants, and thank you to RCS, our schools, teachers, parents and coaches for their continued support,” said Moruthane.

He added that TSA remained committed to nurturing young talent and making tennis accessible to all as the programme prepares for its eighth edition.

The final standings are as follows:

Girls

1. St Stithians Girls’ Preparatory School (Gauteng)
2. Laerskool Saamtrek (North West)
3. George-Suid Laerskool (Western Cape)

Boys

1. Courtrai Primary School (Western Cape)
2. Laerskool Mooirivier (North West)
3. Highbury Preparatory School (KwaZulu-Natal)

Wheelchair tennis

Girls

1. Helen Frans Special School (Limpopo)
2. Vukuzenzele Special School (Eastern Cape)
3. Ithembelihle LSEN School (Gauteng)

Boys

1. Helen Frans Special School (Limpopo)
2. Kwazamokuhle School for the Disabled (KwaZulu-Natal)
3. Meerhof Special School (North West)

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