Tennis

Tennis is a vibrant and popular sport at St Mary’s. Coach René Plant believes that tennis is a game for life, and tennis at St Mary’s should encompass both competitive and social aspects. The school has eight tennis courts.

In Grades 1, 2 and 3, the emphasis is on learning to rally, serve and score. Mini nets, smaller rackets and softer balls are used to make rallying and controlling the ball easier. Basic concepts such as consistency and making your opponent move are also taught.

Some players progress to a Grade 4 and 5 squad, which practises once a week. Friendly matches are arranged during the first and third terms. The players are also encouraged to attend social tennis, which is offered in the first and third terms.

St Mary’s enters six teams – comprising 36 pupils – in the Junior League, which is played in the first term. Apart from the league matches, the players participate in the Junior School singles and doubles championships, held in the third term. St Mary’s participates in the Sun City Private Primary Schools’ Tournament, held during the August holidays and in the BNP Paribas Rising Stars event. In 2023, the St Mary’s A team won the Sun City Tournament.

In the Senior School, St Mary’s participates in two tennis leagues, one in the first term and the other in the third term. Eight teams are entered into each league, giving 48 players the chance to participate in a match every week. Social tennis is also offered throughout the year.

The senior tennis team participates in a few festivals throughout the year, namely the Hilton/St Anne’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles Tournament, and the Pat Uys Tennis Festival hosted by Eunice School in Bloemfontein. St Mary’s also hosts the prestigious St Mary’s Invitational tennis festival bi-annually in which eight schools from different parts of South Africa compete. The U15 team competes in an U15 festival hosted by Afrikaanse Meisieskool Pretoria.

St Mary’s currently has four provincial representatives and one player who has been selected for the South African Schools’ U17 team.