GQEBERHA
Meet the team
Danie van Zyl
Director
Ambitious, Optimistic, Hardworking
Height: 1.89m
Professional tennis coaching certificates
Right-handed
Year my coaching career started:
Age when I started with tennis:
Number of hours coached:
18720
7
2007
View my certificates here:
Tennis South Africa
TENNIS FACTS
No of times provincial colours were awarded
9
No of times South African colours were awarded
3
My age when I first reached a top 3 SA ranking
10
Favourite pro player
Federer
INTERESTING INFO
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One of my favourite memories as a junior was winning the South African Nike Junior Masters and representing South Africa as #1 in the Nike World Masters. I also represented South Africa as #2 in Egypt, France, Slovakia and Bratislava.
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The 40 Love Tennis academy where I was the tennis director grew from 2015-2021 from 2 coaches 50 students to 8 coaches 285 students.
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I believe that life is like riding a bicycle. Without moving forward its hard to maintain your balance.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Danie is a phenomenal coach, who knows what it takes to grow a player to reach high levels! I have reached ten South African teams where I competed internationally with Danie's help and guidance!
He is not just a great technical coach, but also a great mental coach. He is someone you can look up to and constantly pushes you to become a better version of yourself - Not just on court, but off court as an individual as well.
Since my daugther started coaching with Danie, she has developed a huge love and passion for tennis. So much so that she is prepared to go to practice every single day of the week!
I have seen her grow so much in just over a year and this is all due to Danie's amazing attitude, drive and ability to motivate her!
I can definitely recommend this great team of people!
Our family trains with Danie and we couldn't be more excited and motivated to play tennis. Not only are the boys having fun learning technical skills. They are also being taught focus, discipline, humor and passion for the game.
There is so much inspiration to experience from Danie and his career 'evolution' as a tennis player. Thank you Danie & team!
5
Age when I started with tennis:
2020
Year my coaching career started:
Double-handed backhand
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10548
Number of hours coached:
Right-handed
Height: 1.78m
Kianu Jonker
Great game analyzer and improvement coach
Ambitious, optimistic, eager-to-please
TENNIS FACTS
Ranking at age 16 when I represented the U19 SA team
5
Favourite pro player
Djokovic
Favourite grand slam
Wimbledon
INTERESTING INFO
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I enjoy working with people, and have the ability to work well with kids. I have an eye to spot areas of the person's game that can be improved.
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Tennis is one of the few beautiful sports types that can be played by old and young. One day when I am retired, it will still be a big part of my day.
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I always say: "Trust the Lord, even when it doesn't make sense."
6
Age when I started with tennis:
2015
Year my coaching career started:
Single-handed backhand
11917
Number of hours coached:
Right-handed
Height: 1.9m
Neil Potgieter
All-rounder coach for young and old
Passionate, disciplined, gentle giant
TENNIS FACTS
Achieved 2nd place at the Marilie Moolman tournament
2014
Favourite pro player
Nadal
Favourite grand slam
Roland Garros
INTERESTING INFO
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I love great sportsmanship on the court and excel at developing good tennis temperament. There is nothing so satisfying than hitting the perfect shot in the corner exactly where I intended the ball to go.
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Tennis has allowed me to see more of our beautiful country, and I met most of my friends through tennis.
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My goal is to share my love and passion for tennis with my students, for I believe that tennis is a game that you can play all your life.
Leila Nel
Dedicated, hardworking, patient and
passionate about kids!
Double-handed backhand
Number of hours coached:
30
TENNIS FACTS
Highest TSA (Tennis South Africa) ranking
1 (U/16)
Number of years chosen for RSA Team
2 (2022 and 2023)
Favourite pro player
Rafael Nadal
Favourite grand slam
Wimbledon
INTERESTING INFO
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In 2022, I went to London with the SA team and watched Wimbledon.
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I was chosen for the EP team from under 10 to Grade 12.
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Tennis makes me feel happy and calming.
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A quotes I live by: "Have courage and be kind."
Year my coaching career started:
2024
Height : 1.79 m
Right Handed
Age when I started with tennis:
3
6
Age when I started with tennis:
2015
Year my coaching career started:
Single-handed backhand
11917
Number of hours coached:
Right-handed
Height: 1.9m
Xander Shawn Elkington
Passionate, competitive and fun
TENNIS FACTS
Highest Tennis Achievement
u19 Eeastern Province Team
Favourite pro player
Nadal
Favourite grand slam
Roland Garros
INTERESTING INFO
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Having played EP tennis for several years, I gained invaluable experience that I now use to inspire and coach younger players with both passion and dedication.
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My competitive yet fun nature, combined with my lifelong love for tennis, drives me to share my knowledge and help the next generation of players reach their full potential.
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My journey began in Basildon, Essex, but South Africa, where my parents are from, has been home since 2006 and the place where my passion for tennis truly flourished.
6
Age when I started with tennis:
2025
Year my coaching career started:
Double-handed backhand
Right-handed
Height: 1.55m
Kyra Jonker
Patient, Dedicated, Passionate and Experienced with children.
TENNIS FACTS
Favourite pro player
Nadal
Favourite grand slam
Roland Garros
INTERESTING INFO
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I have worked with children for many years, using my experience to create positive, creative and impactful environments for them. I strive to empower children so they could build confidence and gain new skills to reach their full potential
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Thinking about tennis makes me nostalgic because of all the good memories that come along with it. Tennis helped me meet my partner and enable me to always have something fun to do with family.
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I have never played competetive tennis, what matters more to me is the love and enjoyment it brings me, although I played in the 1st tennis team in Primary School and Highschool.
2004
Matriculated
Pizza
Favourite food
Jessica de Klerk
Tennis Admin Guru
People's person, team player, organised
INTERESTING INFO
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My favourite tennis player is still Roger Federer. It will take a while for another player to take his place, as he has been a family favourite for many, many years.
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My dream come true must be my two children. They inspire me everyday and motivate me to be the best possible version of myself.
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Although I love to dance and go to the beach in my free time, I also enjoy watching tennis and like to play socially on occasion.
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I believe that with God, anything is possible.
WBDN
Favourite grand slam
Childhood hometown: Welkom
Two kiddies
Behind the scenes partners
Wilson
Sponsor
Attorney
Website & Marketing
Infinety
Company branding