The SA u/12 tennis champion seeks assistance

Hi, my name is Pieter Kotzé.  I am 11 years old and I live in South Africa.

I have recently been selected for the TSA (Tennis South Africa) Primary Schools team, which is due to visit the USA from 17-28 August 2019.   I need to raise $3,411 in order to be able to join the SA Schools Team on this trip.  

During the  USA trip with the SA Schools Team, I will stay with a host family in New Orleans and practice at the University of New Orleans with the Abrie du Plooy Future Tennis Academy. 

·       We will train with US NCAA division One coaches and players. 

·       23 August we will play the Louisiana Junior team at University of New Orleans. 

·       24 August we will play a UTR  tournament at the same venue. 

·       26 August we will visit New York Times Square and end off the trip by attending a day and night session at the US Open, Flushing Meadows.
        

My background: 

My dream is to become a Professional tennis player.  

I recently won the annual South African national boys under 12 singles and doubles championship.  

I received my trophy from the Minister of Sport

 

 For more information you can view the following links: 

South African National championships 

National tournament Super 8 doubles and singles u12 boys winner 

My team came second in the national interprovincial championships at that tournament I only lost one match 

National Schools team selection 


My experience during 2018

During 2018 I spent a month in Morocco at the ITF High Performance Academy to train on clay.  I thank my dad for making that trip possible for me.  I also thank the Centre Director Amine Ben Makhlouf  for his amazing support and training opportunities.  

ITF/CAT High Performance Centre, Casablanca, Morocco July 2018 
Pease note: The photo below was taken during my time at the ITF Centre in Morrocco.  At that time I still played with Babolat, but now I am very thankful for the wonderful support and sponsorship that Wilson is giving me as from the beginning of 2019.   


Wilson South Africa is my racket and apparel sponsor as of January 2019.

Over and above the South African Schools trip to the USA in August 2019, I also dream of being able to do the following tennis training/development trips as well: 

Mouratoglou Tennis Academy (France): 

I would like to attend the well known Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in June/July for a two week training and competition camp, where I can enhance and test my skills in the company of top international juniors.    

The cost for the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy is around $4,974.41 ( which includes the two week camp/tournament experience and flight tickets). 


If I am able to raise a further $5000 I would like to be able to go to the below two tournaments in the USA during November/ December.  

Junior Orange Bowl (USA) 
14 -23 December

Eddie Herr International Junior Championship (USA) 
27 November-8 December


My order of preference is the following: 

1. If I am able to raise $3411, I very much would like to travel with the South African Schools Team to the USA during August this year.  

2. If I am able to raise a further $4,974.41 I would like to visit the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in June/July 2019 for further development of my skills including match-play during my visit.

3. If I am able to raise a further $5,000 I would like to enter for the prestigious Junior Orange Bowl and Eddie Herr tournaments in the USA at the end of 2019.    

A trust account is in the process of being set up, in order for trustees to take care of funds that are being raised.  Should you wish to make payment directly into this trust fund, please inbox my mom Rene Kotze via Facebook messenger in order to obtain the South African bank trust account number.  Alternatively donations can easily be done via card on the gofundme.com website by clicking on the link provided by this platform. 


Below are some photo's/memoirs: 

During the Inter-provincial tournament I was selected as one of Boland Team "Player of the Day" winners.


For fun: this is what I looked like when I tried to play one of my first forehands :-)



This is what my backhand looks like today, not perfect, but surely a work in progress.



These are the medals and trophies that I have collected over the years.  




Here I am with my dad and biggest supporter :-)
My father has been diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer stage 3 and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.  The impact of this has caused me to seek financial assistance for furthering of my tennis career. 



Thank you very much for supporting me.  

Pieter Kotzé