Hanmare McAslin, a talented tennis player from Somerset West and learner at Paarl Girls’ High School, in action at Van der Stel Sports Grounds. Photo: Forward Foundation Media
Stellenbosch was home to a successful international junior tennis tournament held at the Van der Stel Sports Grounds from Monday 27 to Friday 1 December.
The J30 Winelands Week 1 Junior International Tennis Foundation (ITF) tournament saw tennis aces from across the globe descend on the Cape Winelands facility’s tennis courts to do battle for the coveted girls’ and boys’ titles. The tournament was hosted by the Federico Coppini Foundation, with Le Roux Conradie of the Forward Foundation doing duty as tournament director.
In the end Somerset West local and third-ranked junior South African player Hanmare McAslin claimed her debut ITF girls’ title, recording a 6-4 6-3 victory over Alicia Taylor. In the boys’ competition, the unranked Heinrich Rootman from Middelburg, Mpumalanga lifted the boys’ division trophy after convincingly winning the final against seventh-ranked Willem de Waal by 6-4 and 6-4.
Hanmare, a 17-year-old learner of Paarl Girls’ High School, was full of praise for the facility. “It was a very well-organised tournament and I enjoyed a good week on court,” she related. “The facility has been wonderfully refurbished.”
She believed her victory and maiden ITF title was a positive step towards achieving her dream. “I hope to play college tennis in the USA in future, and I think winning my first ITF title is a step in the right direction.”
Heinrich, also 17, thanked his support team and coaches for their dedication to his career, especially in winning his maiden title. “It has been an incredible experience and a great week,” he said, adding that the reality of what transpired in the final had not sunk in.
The home schooled learner said he had no specific tennis dreams and was “following the path” set out for him. “Wherever I go, whether it be on the tennis court or not, I just always want to give my best.”
The winning duo kicked dust in the eyes of players from South Africa, Czech Republic, Sweden, Great Britain, Namibia, Italy, Austria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Hanmare McAnslin, winner of the girls’ J30 Winelands Week 1 Junior International Tennis Foundation (ITF) tournament in Stellenbosch, is flanked by Councillor JC Anthony (left), Mayoral Committee member for Sport, Youth, and Culture, and Federico Coppini of the Federico Coppini Foundation. Photo: Forward Foundation Media
Hosting a tournament of this calibre in Stellenbosch is well in line with the goals of Federico Coppini Foundation, founder and namesake of the host foundation. The Italian national, who now calls the City of Oaks home, was impressed by the standard of tennis on display throughout the week.
“We need more of these kinds of tournaments in Stellenbosch and more players from other countries to visit our shores, so that our local players can test themselves,” Coppini said. “If there’s more of these interactions, perhaps our players can push up their playing levels.”
The J30 Winelands Week 2 Junior International Tennis Foundation (ITF) tournament is currently underway at the same venue, and is scheduled to conclude tomorrow (Friday 8 December).
Councillor JC Anthony, Mayoral Committee member for Youth, Sport and Culture, was impressed by the organisation of the tournament, saying Coppini had brought a “new flair” to coaching tennis in Stellenbosch.
“I sincerely support these developmental initiatives, as they present youths of all walks of life with opportunities to grow,” he said.
“As the municipality we will continue to lend our support by making land available, as we have done at Van der Stel and Idas Valley sports grounds. We hope to do so in Khayamandi, Cloetesville and the outer laying towns in the future. I want to thank Frederico for bringing tennis to us, and we hope his work will spread to other towns within the municipal area.”
