First FNB tennis course offered at Omaruru

The FNB Volunteers’ and Teachers’ Tennis Course was conducted by the Namibia Tennis Association (NTA) for the first time in Omaruru on September 25 and 26. The course was conducted by Kallie Heese and Ngobilizwe Moyo as FNB/NTA Tennis Development Programme coordinators. A theory session was given at the Regional Sports Office in Omaruru on Friday, with a good turnout of 20 aspiring tennis coaches. On Saturday the activities moved from theory to practical implementation, with action taking place at Luna Park. After the tennis course, the participants organised a development tournament with 80 participants from four schools in Omaruru. Bethold Karumendu, the NSSU Sport Coordinator for the Erongo Region, commented at the prize-giving that the NTA should make it an annual event and get the youth involved with more sport activities in the region. The school that won the gold medal was Omaruru Primary School followed by Ubasen Primary School as the runner-up. The next Tennis Development Course will take place on November 11 in Windhoek and all aspiring tennis coaches from all regions are invited to take part. The Namibian Tennis Development Programme was started in 2012 and having started in Windhoek, there are plans to expand it to other towns. This would require the programme to go out to the schools and educating the teachers by means of theoretical courses, practical and practice sessions at their schools. The number of development competitions has increased over the years to give all kids the chance to play tennis. Since 2013, decentralisation of tennis has seen programmes in the Otjozondjupa, Erongo and Karas region. SPORT REPORTER