Club’s facelift opens doors to brand-new possibilities

Nelspruit Tennis Club held the official opening of its new facilities for sponsors and club members last Wednesday evening.

Kobus Jacobs, who had the idea to improve the club facilities, said he was very thankful the committee members and sponsors came on board and believed in the project.

“We didn’t have the money but we just did it. Because we don’t get much outside support, we need to generate our own funds to do any repairs, maintenance or improvements,” he said.

“We are so grateful to the people who came to the party and gave of their services or donated towards improving the facilities.”

Outside sponsors and individual club members donated materials, services or money towards the project. They could choose to pledge a plaque ranging from bronze, being the smallest donation, to platinum being the largest. Now the plaques hang on the wall at the newly renovated clubhouse, where the biggest change was breaking through the back wall, creating a seating area overlooking the three back courts and making them easily accessible.

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Jacobs said he hoped this would only be the starting point.
“There are so many more things we can do. We have approached the municipality to also get involved where it can as this club serves the public,” he said.

Vice-president of the committee Quentin Otto said Nelspruit Tennis Club “functions on its members”. He added that the additions to the clubhouse also benefit the city and the province.

“Better facilities mean we are able to host national tournaments, like the Super Seniors ITP and the Tennis South Africa junior tournament last month. We are looking forward to another big veterans’ tournament later in the year,” Otto said.

Nelspruit Tennis Club boasts just over 80 members. It is one of the very few active tennis clubs left in the Lowveld.