TZANEEN: Tennis Club is actively looking for members

“Tennis is a lifelong sport, affording the opportunity to people of all ages to get fit, gain strength and to improve their overall well-being.”

Bernard Schoeman of the the Tzaneen Tennis Club says the club has a proud history of producing many excellent players including those who have played nationally and also at international level.

The oldest photo in the club house dates back to 1938 when the first tennis club in Tzaneen was established near to where the Tzaneng Mall is today (known then as the Railway Tennis Club). A second club was established where the GTM building is today which eventually relocated to our current location (Crown Street, near the Bowls Club) in the early 1970s.”The club currently has 46 members and has capacity to take on more members. The youngest players are in primary school whereas many of the older players are 70+ years (some, such as Val Bergmann have been members since they were in high school).

“Our club is very social, offering fantastic opportunities to meet new people and to make new friends. Players regularly engage in matches throughout the week and social tennis is played on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Young and old mix when playing socially, providing a wonderful platform for youngsters to learn from the more senior players.”

Schoeman says round robin tournaments are organised throughout the year and the annual club championships take place in the cooler winter months (usually July or August).

“Club braais are held whenever we have tournaments and at other social occasions too. Additionally, members of the Tzaneen Tennis Club also participate in provincial and invitational tournaments in Polokwane, Louis Trichardt and Phalaborwa.”

“We are pleased to announce that all courts were resurfaced last year and now look as good as new. Furthermore, all court lights were upgraded in 2019 which has created exciting options for members to play in the evenings. The current committee plans further upgrades this year by focusing on the fencing and the club house facilities.”

The club has two professional coaches who provide training to many of the schools in and around Tzaneen as well as private lessons to individuals. People interested can get in touch with these coaches by contacting the club.

Applications to join can be made by emailing the secretary, Bernard Schoeman at tzntennis@gmail.com or messaging him on 0832746120. Members are supplied with keys to the club house and the tennis courts and can make unlimited use of all the facilities available.