The Tshwane leg of the BNP Paribas RCS Rising Star Tennis initiative took place recently at Groenkloof Tennis Club.

The district event saw 83 teams and over 300 players battle it out for spots in the Gauteng provincial finals.

Curro Hazeldean’s primary school team was named the overall winner in the primary school’s division. Hazeldean’s boys’ team won their division, while the girls from Curro Hazeldean finished third.

The Rising Star Tennis initiative started three years ago in South Africa as a program for primary schools. This year it was extended to high schools, while wheelchair tennis was also made part of the program.

This initiative – in partnership with global French bank BNP Paribas and Tennis SA – aims to drive inclusivity, youth empowerment and social cohesion using sport.

The programme has been introduced in collaboration with Tennis SA (TSA) and has attracted South African tennis star Kevin Anderson as its ambassador. It involves a seven-month competition in 14 tennis districts, and 9 provinces across the country.

Anderson is the face of the initiative, which aligns with his long-held desire to develop tennis in South Africa and make it accessible for all. Anderson, a US Open and Wimbledon men’s singles finalist in 2017 and 2018 respectively, is heavily involved in the programme, and is promising some exciting developments as the initiative progresses.

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