The Barberton-born tennis coach, Sabelo Mathebula, who has a wealth of experience in the tennis fraternity and holds the International Tennis Federation level 1 and 2 formal coaching qualification, has been bestowed the new role of Tennis South Africa’s national junior team coach.
Mathebula started as a tennis player in the 90s at the age of 12. He moved up the ranks to become a development officer and has his own tennis academy now.
Mathebula advanced his skills when he had an opportunity to attend a world stage tennis competition.
“In 1997, Charl Marais took me to Wimbledon in England, and that is where I got to see the biggest names in tennis and I have acquired the knowledge that sharpened my skills. Over the years I have gained so much knowledge and experience that I believe is key in my journey as a coach. Seeing myself having a positive impact on a young players on and off court, gives me great pleasure,” he said.
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Mathebula, who has been influential in the development of tennis in the province, said this appointment means a great deal to advancing tennis here.
“This appointment for me is a continuation of the work that we as Mpumalanga Tennis have been doing in terms of promoting the sport and bringing more young players into the fold. This has to mean that we need to do more to take tennis to townships and villages in our province. It should also mean we need to produce more players who will represent our country on the world stage. With this huge honour, it should collaborate and lobby our government at various levels as well as the private sector to support our development programme by building and upgrading tennis facilities throughout our province.
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“I never anticipated this appointment and it feels like a dream come true. In the previous years, I used to envy those coaches who were appointed, but I never thought I would find myself being one of them. I guess God put me in a good space at the right time. However, I believe that my hard work, commitment and contribution to the sport have assisted me, and not that I am better than others. I believe that South Africa has so many capable individuals who could have been appointed to serve our country with distinctions and that makes me humbled and privileged to get this opportunity.”
He said this role he is assuming now is a big responsibility.
“As such I know that I will carry the load not only for myself but for our tennis community, especially for those kids who aspire to be part of something great. Therefore, my plans include among others to develop myself in terms of knowledge of the game, which is forever changing. I want to put myself on a skills development path that will enable me to make a positive contribution to our national junior teams and tennis in general. I would like to contribute to the growth of the sport in our province and elsewhere in our country,” he concluded.
