Joburg Tennis Grassroots Foundation

🎾🏙️ TENNIS TAKES OVER THE HEART OF JOZI! 🏙️🎾

Yesterday, Sunday, Joburg Tennis Grassroots Foundation took tennis to the streets of central Johannesburg as part of Jozi My Jozi’s Main Street Sunday — and what a day it was!

We occupied Harrison Street, transforming the heart of the city into a tennis playground! 🎾🔥

Four mini tennis courts were set up right in the middle of the city, and hundreds of Jozi citizens came out to pick up a racquet, have a hit, share some laughs and discover that tennis truly belongs to everyone.
From first-timers to experienced players, young and old, the streets came alive with the sound of tennis, music, laughter and community.

This is exactly what grassroots sport should be about: taking sport to the people, breaking down barriers and making tennis accessible to everyone.

A massive THANK YOU to Jozi My Jozi for giving us the opportunity to occupy the city — and to the hundreds of incredible Johannesburg residents who joined us and made the day so special.

And of course, thank you to Yonex for supporting the growth of tennis and helping us bring the game to new communities. 🙌🎾
Harrison Street was our court.
Johannesburg was our clubhouse.
And Jozi showed us that tennis has a home in the heart of the city! 💚🎾

What a brilliant day!

PROUD MOMENT FOR THE JOBURG TENNIS GRASSROOTS FOUNDATION! 🎾💙

Today marked another milestone in the incredible journey of the Joburg Tennis Grassroots Foundation as our young players proudly competed in the RCS Rising Stars tournament.

The RCS Rising Stars programme is a nationwide grassroots schools competition, with district and provincial tournaments taking place across South Africa from April through to September. To see our players standing shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the strongest primary school teams in Johannesburg is something we will never forget.

Our Foundation entered four boys' teams and three girls' teams, with an incredible 28 young players representing JTGF – the largest contingent at the tournament.

While we may not have won every match, today was about so much more than results. Our players displayed courage, determination, sportsmanship and resilience. They competed with pride, embraced every challenge and, most importantly, showed everyone that talent exists in every community when opportunity is provided.
Many of these children only recently picked up a tennis racquet, yet today they stood on court believing they belonged. That is a victory in itself.

A heartfelt thank you to Marisa and Joburg Tennis for their incredible support and for making our participation possible. We are equally grateful to Yonex South Africa, Baseline Racquets, the members of Marks Park Tennis Club, and the parents and scholars of De La Salle Holy Cross College for ensuring our players were properly equipped with racquets, clothing and playing kit. Because of your generosity, our children not only competed—they looked and felt like champions.

Today was another reminder that tennis changes lives. It builds confidence, creates opportunities and inspires dreams.
This is only the beginning.
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🎾💛 NELSON MANDELA DAY AT ELLIS PARK – SPORT, SERVICE AND HOPE IN ACTION 💛🎾

This Nelson Mandela Day weekend, the spirit of Madiba came alive at the historic Ellis Park Tennis Centre as communities, schools, clubs, volunteers, and organisations united to give back through the power of tennis, exercise, and service.

Friday marked the start of our two-day celebration as young players from JTGF, Troyeville Primary School, Bertrams Junior School and Yeoville Tennis Club were joined by participants from Turffontein Tennis Club. Thank you, De La Salle Holy Cross College and Helpmekaar Kollege students and parents for participating and your generous donations. Thanks to the generosity of Play it Forward Jozi, Yonex South Africa donated racquets and shoes, Baseline Racquets donated prizes and shoes, ensuring every child had the opportunity to play.

Our dedicated University of Johannesburg students worked alongside Coach Patric Tsunke and the Joburg Tennis Grassroots Foundation coaching team, while the beautiful Highveld winter sunshine created the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable day enjoyed by more than 60 enthusiastic youngsters.

Saturday built on that momentum with an incredible celebration of community sport. Players from Vosloorus Tennis Club, proudly sponsored by the International Club of South Africa, joined participants from Turffontein Tennis Club, Yeoville Tennis Club, and Egoli Squash joined the kids from JTGF for a day that welcomed more than 120 active participants.

A special highlight was the sports testing programme led by respected biokineticist David Kopping, supported by seven University of Johannesburg Sports Science students, who assessed participants' speed, strength, stamina and agility. Legendary coach Gavin Kampers of Parkview Tennis Club generously offered free coaching sessions, inspiring the next generation of players.

The event flowed seamlessly thanks to Coach Patric Tsunke, the JTGF coaching team and the incredible UJ student volunteers. We were honoured by the support of Enzio Zambetti, President of Joburg Tennis and Motlatsi Majoro - Deputy President Gauteng Tennis.

No Mandela Day celebration would be complete without sharing and caring. A heartfelt thank you to Lisa Wade, Emma, Faye, Rueben and Leon, who kept everyone energised with fresh fruit, hot dogs, ice-cold water and sweets throughout the day.

Congratulations to all our prize winners! Special thanks to Yonex South Africa Tarryn Ross and Baseline Racquets for once again generously donating prizes for the day's most enthusiastic and focused participants.

One of the most memorable moments of the weekend was the unveiling of the Blue Plaque, recognising the Ellis Park Tennis Centre's Heritage Status and celebrating more than a century of tennis history at this legendary venue.

This weekend was a powerful reminder that when people give just a little of their time, they can make a lifetime of difference.

Madiba would have been proud.

Great news!

A win for Joburg's heritage! This morning, the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation unveiled a blue plaque at the Ellis Park Tennis Centre. The plaque serves as an internationally recognised marker on a building, site or home to indicate it's historical and social significance, and encourages the protection of these sites for future generations.

Photo: Alec Galanakis