The next South African squash champion may very well come from rural Limpopo if the plans of the local administrators of the sport materialise. This vision is also not unrealistic, judging by the talent unearthed by the recently launched development programme.
Two weeks ago, on Saturday 22 October, Limpopo Squash hosted the first Growthpoint Superstars squash event in Polokwane. The event was attended by 80 junior squash players, most of whom were introduced to squash for the first time. It formed part of the Limpopo Junior Squash (LJS) development programme.
During the event, hosted by the Polokwane Squash Club, the young players received coaching from experienced players, which included several provincial champions. One of the coaches, Erik Welman, was very impressed with the skills displayed by some of the young players.
"This kid, Harry, moves like a well-seasoned athlete, and if we give him some special attention, he will potentially be the provincial champion before he graduates from school," said Erik. His excitement was shared by the chairperson of Limpopo Squash, Michael Ward. "If this momentum and growth continue, Limpopo Squash will produce future national champions sooner rather than later," he said.
The development programme is already underway at the Soutpansberg Squash Club in Louis Trichardt. The programme provides coaching, equipment, mentorship, and the option to take part in tournaments to its participants at a very affordable price. "At R100 per quarter, this opportunity offers exceptional value due to dedicated, unpaid volunteers who are committed to grassroots development and growth of the game," said Erik, who heads up the local coaching team.
The initiative involves a weekly session on Wednesdays from 17:00 to 18:00 and quarterly tournaments. From these quarterly tournaments, a team will be selected to represent Limpopo Squash at national tournaments. Even the players who do not get selected for the provincial team will be considered for a team that tours to clubs in Gauteng.
To join the Limpopo Junior Squash programme or to become a member of the Soutpansberg squash club, Erik Welman can be contacted on 063 168 9851.