Magazine 2019

120 SOFTBALL Parklands Softball delivered fun-filled and growth experiences for all players. Our girls enjoyed coaching clinics offered by a provincial Baseball player which certainly contributed to the growth of our junior Soft - ball. Our girls were also fortunate to learn from and be guided by this player/coach throughout the season. The U/11 and U/12 Softball girls attended the North District Softball trials where a number of Parklands girls were selected to represent the North District Softball teams at regional festivals.We are proud of the Softball progress that has been made. Softball is a sport that teaches the basic fundamentals of hand- eye co-ordination and gross motor skills like throw - ing, catching, hitting and running. Our girls displayed excellent batting skills throughout the season and work tremendously well as a team to achieve great results. Our softball girls have shown great character and delivered moments of outstanding sportsmanship when facing their opponents. Perseverance was key during the summer with the aim to perfect skills and techniques. It was also pleasing to see how they enjoy playing the game.A special mention and thanks to our experienced Softball Coaches.Their knowledge of the game and their coaching skills were remarkable.Their dedication and hard work have certainly put our Soft - ball teams on the map as a strong force to be reck - oned with.The best sight to see is a softball player’s face light up when a goal has finally been achieved that has been worked at for so long. TENNIS The new young Parklands Tennis squad team mem - bers continued to worked hard at developing their skills sets and playing abilities. Our experienced tennis coaching team has been hard at work preparing these young tennis stars with the necessary coaching to ul - timately build a competitive tennis squad to compete in future tennis encounters as they mature. Our tennis Play like you’re in first. Train like you’re in second. ~ Anon section also offered fun Grade 1 – 3 Mini Tennis festivals for the first time in 2019. This is a new initiative by ATATennis Academy which will hopefully continue to grow among the local schools. Parklands Preparatory hosted one of the first Mini tennis festivals on a Friday afternoon which welcomed a large number of Junior tennis stars from the local schools.What a day of fun this was as parents and spectators were close to the action, cheering their future champions on! The commitment and dedication of the tennis squad members who attended the early morning squad training sessions was a clear reflection of their hard work and persistence. Our tennis structures have also allowed a challenge system through tennis trials and play-off matches which offers the opportunity for more tennis players to participate and work their way up the tennis ladder. Our coaches offered extended attention to the Beginners tennis sessions which will produce a few more talented young tennis stars as they move up the grades. CROSS COUNTRY & RUNNING CLUB The Autumn andWinter Quarters provided Cross Country events on Friday afternoons where our athletes were exposed to large fields of top competitors with attendees from schools all over the greater Cape Town district taking part in U/9 – U/12 races. The Cross Country events took place at various venues which allowed for different chal - lenges weekly for our athletes to adapt to. Parklands College learners improved their overall running skills in endurance, fitness, strength and speed over the course of the two quarters. It has been pleasing to see them grow from strength to strength in all aspects of Cross Country and in keeping their bodies active and healthy. Great running cama - raderie and friendship bonds were established throughout the running campaign. Furthermore, the learners have wholeheartedly enjoyed the recent events.They com - peted on various terrains, proving to run successfully over slopes, hills and uneven turf. Congratulations to all our athletes who participated and finished their races.Well done to those athletes who recorded Top 10 finishes, we look forward to these runners’ further competi - tions and wish them the very best for the Sub-Zonal qualifi - cation stages.