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The recently - appointed Protea Ringtennis Team will be leaving for Koblenz, Germany on Saturday, 24 July 2010 to take part in the 2nd World championships. The team, consisiting of 6 male and 6 female players will be taking part against 12 other countries, including the hosts Germany, India, Poland, USA, Belarus, Brazil, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Before lining up for the very strong competition in Koblenz, the delegation , which also includes the coach, Hein vd Lith, team manager Evert Potgieter, umpire Felicia Sauer, physiotherapist Ester Venter and chef-de-mission Johan Ferreira, will pay a pre-tour visit to the German cities of Oer-Erkenschwick, Recklinghausen, Munster and Neuwied. The time here will mainly be spent to shake off jet lag and do a little sight-seeing . However, the team will make their first acquaintance with German Ringtennis competition with 2 matches being played; one against Westfalia and the second against the Mittelrhein team in Neuwied. On Friday, 30 July, the team will be transported to their hotel in Koblenz where the official Championships will start the next day with an opening ceremony and the World Singles Championships. The rest of the competition will consist of Alternating doubles, Free style doubles, Mixed doubles and then the ultimate Team competition which is universally regarded as the culmination of the event. Since the announcement of the team, the Protea players have spent many hours of training in sports halls, seeing that the Championships are held indoors in Germany ; a custom completely foreign to the South African Ringtennis scene where all matches are played out of doors on all-weather surfaces. However, the players have adapted remarkably well and are well - prepared for the very tough competition awaiting them in Koblenz. With the assistance of 15 supporters accompanying them, they are ready to take on the challenge and “wave the South African flag !!” The members of the Protea team are: Team captains: Bertus le Roux and Heleen Potgieter Men : Richter van Tonder, Hanno Pienaar, Justin Kokott, Craig Ogilvie, Rowan van Tonder Ladies : Lenize Potgieter, Irmarie Kruger, Melicia Sauer, Miriam Hartman, Bronwin Human |
