ASHLEY MAGWINDIRI
UP’s sports department, TuksSport, offers students the opportunity to showcase their talent and take part in national and international events. TuksSport offers three groups of clubs namely, priority clubs, recreational clubs, and specialized clubs.
Specialized clubs and recreational clubs are open to everyone, and they do not have a selection criterion for their members. One can simply join by filling out a membership form and paying their membership fee at UP’s LC de Villiers Sports Campus reception.
However, there are a few open clubs that fall under priority clubs, the likes of TuksGolf, TuksSquash, TuksCricket, and TuksTennis. With these open clubs, anyone is free to join by filling out a membership form and paying a membership fee.
There are other clubs that have a specific selection criterion. TuksHockey’s Head of Programme, Inky Zondi, emphasized that new members have to go through the six weeks trial phase in February every year “before they become official TuksHockey players”.
With TuksNetball, the administrator Lifalethu Khumalo said, “TuksNetball has information tables set up at Welcoming Day for all the first year students that will be joining the University of Pretoria.” Khumalo added that first year students “can also sign up to be notified of all the TuksNetball specific information.” TuksNetball also has a Welcome and Information Evening at the beginning of February where club specific information is relayed to all prospective players. They also host an annual trial procedure that takes place in February and March.
According to the TuksRugby club manager Gert van Coller, registration is for one year and all the necessary forms must be completed at the TuksRugby offices. “Any student can join the club after matric, and non-students are welcome to join too,” he added. TuksRugby also host trials in February, dependending on the request of the coaches. There are also student players that play for hostel franchise teams, and these events are attended by all the coaches, and they also serve as trials.
While each club has its own membership fee which must be paid at the beginning of the year, clubs such as TuksHockey offer payment plans to people who are unable to pay the full amount.
Image: Sally Hartzenberg
