It has been said before that achievement in sport not only builds character, but reveals it.
Young softball star, Tanner van Niekerk, shows each of the listed characteristics when speaking about his career in the sport. Chatting with Tanner after his return from his successful tour to the Netherlands with the U19 All Stars Softball side took some probing to get the modest go-getter to elaborate on his achievements.
His career with a bat started when he was four-years-old and joined the Bluff based Sluggers Baseball Club. He continued participating in baseball until he was 11-years-old when his commitment to cricket and first hockey teams at Glenwood Preparatory School forced him to make the decision to lay his slugger bat aside.
Tanner’s move to Glenwood High School introduced him to softball which the school offers as a sport. Like the proverbial duck to water, Tanner picked up a softball bat and started on a journey in pursuit of excellence that saw his first provincial selection to the KZN U15 softball side.
Naming his first KZN coach, Cameron Dubber, as his greatest inspiration and motivator in the sport, Tanner recalls how he was encouraged by the school when they sent him to provincial trials where he was selected and was fortunate to be coached by Dubber.
In 2018 he was selected to travel to Northern Gauteng to attend Camp Discovery, representing the KZN U19A side, where the coaches from the all participating teams nominate the players of the tournament and deemed Tanner the second best batter and best fielder for the tournament. This nomination resulted in his selection to the All Stars team to travel to the Netherlands to participate in a tournament from 22 September to 3 October.
When Tanner, who is currently writing his matric exams, was asked whether his commitment to sport affected his academic achievements he replied, “No, I plan my study time around practice times and manage my time to fit everything I need to do on a day-to-day basis. I prioritise my daily responsibilities making academics precedence, because as an athlete I never know when my career will come to an end, and I need a solid academic foundation to fall back upon.”
Aspiring to reach the heights of Francois Steyn, the South African pitcher who now specialises in coaching pitchers at Camp Discovery, Tanner expressed his goal to continue playing softball and eventually turn his hand at coaching because he believes sports participation is one of the greatest resources available for instilling valuable life skills in children.
Attributing his success to complete support from his family, Tanner thanks his parents, James and Lara, for their dedication to his busy schedule and for raising the necessary funds required for him to participate at an international level. He thanks the Bluff community for their willingness to participate in the fund raising activities.
Glenwood High School acknowledged Tanner’s contribution to the school at their valedictory assembly 2019 where the young sports star received his half colours for hockey, full colours with a scarf for softball, the trophy for senior softball player of the year and the trophy for sportsmanship in hockey – a fitting tribute for a young man who has worked tirelessly to achieve his goals.
Tanner’s advice to aspiring young athletes is, “Consistency is the key. Whatever you plan to achieve – be consistent in terms of your commitment, optimism, flexibility and your all round positive mindset.”
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