The town of De Aar in the Northern Cape buzzed with excitement during the past weekend as the 15th Novels Classic Tennis Tournament kicked off, offering not only exhilarating tennis matches but also fostering a delightful atmosphere of community and unity.
De Aar’s 15th Novels Classic serves up a weekend of tennis excellence and community spirit
The town of De Aar in the Northern Cape buzzed with excitement during the past weekend as the 15th Novels Classic Tennis Tournament kicked off, offering not only exhilarating tennis matches but also fostering a delightful atmosphere of community and unity. With an unprecedented 93 players signing up, this year’s event highlighted the tournament’s rising status and its undeniable influence on the local area.
Visitors flocked to the town from near and far, filling up local guesthouses and indulging in the food and drink offered by the restaurants. It was a win-win situation, as the tournament brought a significant financial boost to the community.
The action kicked off early last Friday morning at Laërskool De Aar, where players gathered to begin a weekend of intense matches. With matches taking place at Hoërskool De Aar, Laërskool De Aar, Excelsior Club, and the sports grounds, it was a true tennis extravaganza. Mother Nature tried to throw a curveball with strong winds on the opening day, but the players remained undeterred, showcasing their remarkable skill and determination.
As the sun rose on Saturday, so did the spirits of the players, as much more favourable weather conditions prevailed. The tennis action continued to impress throughout the weekend, with players of all ages participating in a substantial number of matches. The “Fun and Games” session kept the young ones entertained and added a family-friendly aspect to the tournament.
The highlight of the weekend was the 2:00 PM prize-giving ceremony at Laerskool De Aar, where the young talents were celebrated.
Every player received a medal, and the excitement continued with “Lucky Draws,” offering players a chance to win a Bluetooth speaker from Novels and making sure no one went home empty-handed.
A special shoutout goes to Khazimla, who tantalised the taste buds with their delectable refreshments. A professional photographer captured all the unforgettable moments, and parents can relive the tournament by downloading the stunning photos on Snapevent.
The tournament’s dedicated organiser and owner of Novels Outfitters and Shoe Store, Frankie Sequeira, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the parents, students, and the broader community who contributed to the event’s resounding success.
Laërskool De Aar, Hoërskool De Aar, and Excelsior Park were acknowledged for their generous support in allowing the use of their courts, and SANCO provided essential mobile toilets. Above all, a sincere thank-you was extended to the participants who made this year’s tournament an incredible success.
With eager anticipation building for the 2024 edition, it’s clear that the 15th Novels Classic is not just a tennis tournament but a celebration of the close-knit community spirit that defines De Aar.
The winners in various categories included:
Boys Under-8: Liam Raath (1st), Jaco Louw (2nd), and Stian Fourie (3rd).
Girls Under-8: Alexis Bezuidenhout (1st), Annika Smit (2nd), and Carli Vorster (3rd).
Boys Under-10: Bertus Higgs (1st), Ian Maré (2nd), and Perre van Rooyen (3rd).
Girls Under-10: Ellené Markram (1st), Ava Lilly Burger (2nd), and Marli du Toit (3rd).
Boys Under-12: Tiaan Kriek (1st), Anru Kroucamp (2nd), and Peter Louw (3rd).
Girls Under-12: Kayla Markram (1st), Ané van Zyl (2nd), and Lienke du Plessis (3rd).
Boys Under-14: Roelf du Plessis (1st), Joshua Sequeira (2nd), and Jan-Paul Jooste (3rd).
Girls Under-14: Christine Bester (1st), Johandré Barkhuizen (2nd), and Jané Steyn (3rd).
