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TENNIS
Mia Grundlingh, Head of Tennis
The U/10 Boys’ tennis team started their season with a large dose of
enthusiasm, commendable sportsmanship and sheer dedication to the
team.
The team included: Ryan Baines, DavidWood, Adam Crafford and
Justin Behrens. This four member team proved to be a winning combination
for the remainder of the season. They showed true sportsmanship, respect
and honesty throughout the course of the matches. Despite the initial
nerves on the first serves during some of the matches, the apprehension
seemed to have subsided significantly. As time progressed over the season,
the U/10 boys were exposed to various match conditions; gaining an overall
enriching, memorable experience. The Parklands boys competed in singles as
well as double matches during scheduled afternoons.
On a weekly basis, they demonstrated their belief in their sporting ability,
eagerness to win and maturity on the court. The team sailed into victory
during most of their match fixtures. The team’s physical strength and
eagerness to clinch the victory frequently outweighed their opponents’ drive
to win.
NETBALL
Bronwyn van der Berg, Head of Netball
Our netball teams enjoyed a busy season this year. Although
we did not have as many learners as last year, our girls played with
determination and saw a steady improvement in their skills over
the season. We would like to thank our two fantastic coaches
who worked so hard at teaching the girls the skills and techniques
needed to not only improve their abilities, but also give them a more
competitive edge. They both encouraged the girls to give of their best,
while still working to develop them into skilled netball players who
work well as a team.
As the season progressed, we saw the U9/U10 team grow in
confidence and begin to work more effectively as a team. They took
on board all that they had learned, honing their skills and supporting
each other both on and off the field and demonstrating true
sportsmanship. We wish them continued success.
Our U11/U12 team was fortunate to welcome a number of
particularly talented individuals who increased the pace of the game
and inspired those who were fairly new to the sport to practise hard
in order to compete well. Our team went from strength to strength
and we are proud of the confidence and skill which they displayed.
Although the girls enjoyed competing against other school teams, a
real highlight was when the pupils were able to compete against their
parents at the ‘Learners versus Parents’ match. This proved to be
a most enjoyable experience for both the learners and the parents,
and gave the pupils the opportunity to showcase all they had learned
during the season, and the parents a renewed appreciation for the
energy and skill that their children possess.
We look forward to the next season in 2014 with great anticipation.
HOCKEY
Brad Roets, Head of Hockey
Despite the challenge of limited numbers, the
Parklands hockey girls have done our blue strip
proud this season, playing with increasing skill and
tenacity.
Our Grade One group still needs to draw a few
more players, but the girls who attend regularly
have thoroughly enjoyed learning to use a new
piece of equipment and their skills are improving
constantly. It has also been most encouraging to
see the growth in numbers in the U/8 age group.
Although the first matches will only take place
in their Grade Three year, these players can be
commended for their dedication and commitment
to the game.
The U/10 hockey fixtures have been fantastic and
under the expert guidance of the coaches, the girls
have started learning to keep their heads up in the
face of the opposition rather than boring holes into
the ground. As they have learned to start watching
the game and the movements of other players, they
stopped bunching, started running into spaces and
have improved the overall effectiveness of their
game.
The U/12 team has somehow managed to fill a
team for every fixture despite injury, exams and
eisteddfods working like keen saboteurs. These
young ladies have blossomed into competent
players this season, showing vision and real aptitude
for the finer nuances of the game.
The Hockey Academy training sessions on Friday
afternoons were put into place for two reasons:
to make the sport accessible to girls who would
otherwise be committed elsewhere during the
week and to be a training session where greater
levels of skill are taught at a slightly higher intensity
than the week day sessions. These sessions have
been well received and we have a waiting list of
eager Grade One girls ready to sign up for the
Academy Level One sessions for next year!
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