Tennis

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Overview

Tennis has a long tradition at Bishops with boys of all ages from the Prep to the College partaking in the sport. As a summer activity the tennis season starts in Term 4 with coaching and fixtures and carries on in Term 1 of the New Year.
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It has been a period of change within the Western Province administration of Tennis over the previous seasons. The school league fixtures are now southern and northern based meaning there is less travelling, but also less competition with only the winners of each league competing at the end of the season. Premier league is no longer, but renamed First league and the requirement is now just to play the one 'pro' set for all fixtures. Unfortunately, there have been clashes between school tennis and ranking competitions on Fridays; so many top school players have not been representing the school in matches. As such the top teams now play their matches on a Thursday. Bishops has an array of talented players with a total of seven teams entered currently competing in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th leagues with one additional Under 15 (Grade 8 team) in Term 1. At the end of 2014 and the demise of 'Social Tennis' there was an influx of boys into 'Team Tennis', this put extra stress on limited resources which mea nt numbers had to be restricted to what is currently 60 boys from Grade 8 till 12.

On a historical note, there are a number of trophies which have been presented to boys over the years. The Charles King trophy was originally presented by Mr. D King of Beaufort West in the 1st Term of 1955. It has now been revived and is awarded to the Junior Singles Champion at the end of Term 4. The Michael Smuts trophy is presented to the 'most improved player' in the season and presented at the end of Term 1. The Bottger Brothers trophy is presented during Term 4 and is awarded to the Inter House Doubles champions.

Besides the scheduled tennis fixtures, junior singles and inter house doubles we are also involved with Founders Day where our top boys play the OD team. We have internal and international tours and often host visiting teams to our school.

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Vision

  • To be welcoming to all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
  • To provide an atmosphere of positive encouragement to all those wanting to play tennis. Upgrade the lower teams to have more friendly or in-house matches if they do not have league matches.
  • To have a progressive and contemporary approach to promoting the sport at Bishops.
  • Demonstrate financial propriety and good management of budget.
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  • Continuous improvement of the sport and its facilities. To maintain and enhance the quality of tennis playing facilities, the clubhouse and its environs and keep under review future short and longer term development opportunities.
  • Promote the idea of a weekend's social tennis club for parents and students. To facilitate opportunities for people to develop their tennis playing abilities and to progress in the sport.
  • Coaching sessions for staff with professional - teaching teachers how to coach and make use of activities on the courts.
  • Encourage more internal competitions - club championships and league ladders.
  • Encourage more local and then international tours.
  • Transparency in our communication and administration of the club and sport.
  • Raising the profile of tennis and making the sport more readily accessible to the local community.
  • More photographs and articles in magazines - printed and electronic.
  • Raise the profile of tennis by encouraging more previously disadvantaged players to participate.
  • To provide a welcoming, safe, responsible and relaxing atmosphere for members and visitors.
  • More involvement with Western Province - encourage better organisation of the leagues.
  • Tennis is 'fitness fun' and a sport for life!
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Facilities & Coaching

Bishops currently has eight courts, four situated behind the Piley Rees field (Music School Courts) and four courts behind the school shop (Founders Courts). We share these courts with the Prep School and they are available all year-round.

Tennis at Bishops has a history of offering professional coaching and this is offered weekly (Monday to Thursday) between all the team players.


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