Age not a factor when it comes to doing what you love most
His advice to other players is that practice does not make perfect, but perfect practice makes perfect. "You've got to change the way you think".
Seventy-three-year-old Brian Colby will represent his country in the sport he loves most and has committed to for a lifetime namely tennis, having been selected to play for South Africa at the World Veteran Tennis Championships in Majorca, Spain, in October this year.
Brian has been a resident of Parys for just over three years now, ministering at the Diamond Recove- ry Centre for persons with alcohol and drug addiction and behaviour problems. “I see people coming to the Lord, and that is good,” says Brian. For this kind-hearted full-time pastor for many years who has ministered in several countries, life is all about people.
Ever since he can remember, he has been playing sports. Name it, and Brian has not only done it but excelled in whatever challenges – whether on the golf course, bowling, angling, soccer, squash, cricket or tennis. But no doubt, he says, tennis is his favourite.
He believes that if you can chew bubble gum and walk at the same time, you can play tennis, and who would know better than Brian with his years of experience as both player and coach? He was a former director of tennis coaching for the Sports Foundation of Africa. His responsibilities are to train teachers and coaches to teach the game of tennis.
He coached professionally from 1975, not only in South Africa, but also in Germany where he played several tournaments, and in Ameri-ca where he met with Dennis van der Meer (van der Merwe). Dennis coached Brian from six years old, after which their paths parted.
They reunited in America in 1982, when Brian went to Dennis’ Academy and, together, they started a junior coaching clinic, with American Arthur Ashe.
While in America, Brian won the Men’s Doubles, together with Gavin Cox, and the Mixed Doubles with partner Jenny Guiney.
In 2022 Brian was the SA National Men’s Senior Doubles champ together with Danie Botha, and in 2023, he and his Doubles partner Marius Genis, were also crowned champions. Currently, he plays for the North West province with some of his most recent achievements including winning the Men’s Doubles in North West for the past two years, the Mpumalanga Doubles, the Sowetan Open Doubles, Gauteng Central Doubles twice, and Gauteng North (twice) – all with different partners. He is currently ranked No.1 in Men’s Doubles, No. 2 in Mixed Doubles and No. 3 in Singles.
Through the years, nothing has kept him away from sports – not even a shoulder operation, two back operations, and a knee injury. Three knee operations later, Brian is still going strong, thanks to Dr Walter Bell, and Henry Slabbert from Kragapie Gym, who helped him with his recovery, and not only prepared him physically for the tournaments but also mentally.
“For me, it is the enjoyment of playing sports and meeting old and new friends. To speak to people at different tournaments opens doors, but I am just a regular guy,” says Brian. “I want people to relate to me – not for the image of a pastor. I want to help people reach their dreams – that is what I would like to do”.
His advice to other players is that practice does not make perfect, but perfect practice makes perfect. “You’ve got to change the way you think”.
Besides tennis, Brian is also a keen golfer with a 10.7 handicap and enjoys lawn bowls. Among others, he played lead for Proteas player Frans du Plessis, and second for Kevin Campbell, who was part of the world-winning team in the fours and trips.
As a member of the Parys Bowling Club, Brian was also part of the winning team in the popular Business League for the past two years.
Despite all his success in various sports disciplines, humility is in the victory, he adds.
“I had a wonderful life. I choose to be happy. For me, it is God first in my golf, my tennis and my relationships,” says a humble Brian, a man who pays it forward, offering tennis lessons for free for both adults and children at the Parys Tennis Club on Saturdays.
Now Brian needs to raise at least R60,000 for him to be able to be on the plane to Spain.
If you would like to contribute to making it possible for Brian to represent SA on the international tennis court, you can donate to the following account: B.G. Colby, Tyme Bank, Savings, Account number 5100 720 3582.
