The invitation to the SSA camp was based on players’ respective provincial rankings.

Ayanda, who is in grade seven at Barberton Primary School, is currently the number one u/13 girl in Mpumalanga.

The theme for the camp was “Practice like a champion”.

According to Ayanda’s father, Patrick Ntimane, the main objective of the camp was to instil good training habits, positive thinking and a healthy lifestyle among the junior players.

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“The players were also introduced to good nutritional habits – eating like a champion – by the University of Pretoria High Performance Centre nutritionist, Nikkie de Villiers.

“During the training sessions the players also completed an interesting self-assessment sheet. The concentration- grid exercise provided the coaches an opportunity to see which of the players could stay focused throughout the activity and which ones were easily distracted,” said Patrick.
He said the players were also taken through their paces by provincial marker and referee, Maxine Gouweloos, who gave them a rundown on the rules of squash.

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“The players were also involved in a round of matches. These were used to explain the pathway to a top-10 ranking as well as a trial for inclusion in the u/14 South African Schools teams that will tour Malaysia,” Patrick added.

Ayanda was the only player from Mpumalanga to attend the camp and she came back with vast knowledge and skills to assist her in the upcoming 2018 squash season.

Ayanda also thanked Barberton Ford and SSA for making it possible for her to attend the camp.