Glen Publisher_Dainfern In Focus_Issue 0717

TENNIS UPDATE
Armstrong Tennis Academy (Pty) Ltd
Duane Armstrong, USPTA & SATCA • 082 456 5441
Tennis
Tournaments
Tennis players play tournament for many different
reasons, social, to improve, chase ranking points,
match fitness, to play different players or the love
to compete. I certainly love competing and playing
different players.
Tennis South Arica also cater for all ages, juniors from
under 10 to 18, open and seniors and in the juniors there
are different categories such as platinum, gold and silver.
Because we get older it doesn’t mean we are less
competitive and less driven to excel and reach our goals.
One never loses that competitive spirit and TSA makes
events available for everyone across South Africa.
The question often asked is, what is the correct age to
compete? And what if my child loses and never wants to
play again? Everyone is different and matures at different
stages and some players handle a loss better than others.
Coaches and parents know their students and players
and will guide and teach them how to handle all the
situations.
My opinion is that match toughness and to learn how to
play matches is very important, it is a big part of learning
the game and the earlier the better. Keep in mind that
the student must have the strokes, maturity, and game
to start competing. Throwing a youngster into the deep
end and your not sure if they can swim, then it is definitely
too early.
The other crossroad is that parents and coaches always
play the local tournaments and their view is that when
the youngsters get better and their ranking improves, and
only then will they venture out of town to compete. That
makes a lot of sense, however then they keep playing
all the same kids and get to know their games and start
feeling comfortable. Playing different players keeps them
on their toes, challenges their nerves and they learn to
compete against a broader spectrum.
Therefore traveling to tournaments is an expense and
more time consuming but certainly worth the while. So
clearly my students need to travel more and become even
more match tough with a wider range of competitors.
Have lots of fun competing and reaching your goals!
RUNNING CLUB
The Ultimate
Human Race
Dainfern Running Club take their hats off to
the following competitors in the Comrades
Marathon which was held on Sunday, 4 June
2017:-
• Christine Walter in a time of 9:41:21
• Linda Smart in a time of 9:53:00
• Wayne Rosenberg – his first run – in a time
of 10:20:36;
• Lucretia Khumalo in a time of 11:59:59 who
was just, just in time to receive a bronze
medal for her accomplishment! We know
you had to dig deep Lucretia but this was an
awesome run – well done!
The Comrades is definitely “the ultimate human
race” as can be attested by these competitors!
The weekly time trial takes place on a Wednesday
evening starting at 17h45 sharp from the area
behind the kid’s play area at the Clubhouse. We
have distances of 5km, 3km and 1km which are
timed.
As from 12 July 2017 from 17h15 onwards,
Sportsman’s Warehouse will be at the start of the
time trial with various items for sale, including
reflective gear, which, during winter, is an
absolute necessity – especially for our younger
runners, as the time trial is run in the dark and
all other road users need to be able to see the
runners as they traverse the Estate.
We look forward to welcoming everyone –
runners, walkers, power walkers and children to
the weekly time trial.
For more information, please call Laura on
011 875 0492 or email laura@dainfern.co.za
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