George Bradley, an Amanzimtoti Athletics Club middle distance running coach, will leave Toti at the end of July to take up a coaching position at Prestige College in Hammanskraal. Even worse news is he will take two of his proteges with him in Lee-anne Blake and Sesi Mbatha.
“I was approached by the college to take up a coaching position at the school,” said George. “When I told my athletes I was leaving, Lee-anne and Sesi wrote me letters saying I’m not going without them. My negotiations with the school then included the two of them.”
Both girls were offered full burseries at the school plus boarding. “I’m happy they were accepted,” said George. “They are national level athletes. This is a big scoop for the school as they were both medal winners at the SA champs.
It’s not going to be easy leaving Toti. My athletes are my babies, but this is a good opportunity for both of them as Prestige is a good sports school which has close ties with Pretoria University. Gauteng school athletes is also very big in the country.”
George joined Toti AC in 2009. He has coached Lee-anne for four years and Sesi for two. He originally hails from the Eastern Cape and has coached at Tukkies (University of Pretoria).
At this year’s SA champs, Lee-anne won the girls U16 800m, while Sesi claimed bronze in the girls U16 400m.
Lee-anne has racked up awards in 800m, 400m, 1,500m and cross-country, while Sesi is prolific in 400m, 100m and 200m.
“I’m very nervous about the move,” said Lee-anne. “It’s starting a new life. It will be hard to adjust to that lifestyle, but at least I’ve got my friend going with me. My mother Lynn and younger brother Siyanda are also moving and my brother will attend Prestige.
It will be hard to say goodbye to Kingsway as this school has made me a hard worker and I’ve become a mature person because of it.”
Sesi said the move will not faze her much, as she is used to living in hostel and this will be her fourth different school in three years. “I’ve done everything to fulfil my dream, which is athletics. It will be sad to leave, but I’m excited about the next challenge I will face.”
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