MARI-LOUISE DE KOCK
After a well-deserved holiday, most of us tend to get lazy. The best way to kick start the year is with all the amazing sport that Tuks has to offer.
• The TuksRugby club is the largest club at the University of Pretoria. Rugby is given an immense amount of attention, as there are 55 teams and more than 100 dedicated staff. Like many sports offered at Tuks, rugby has programmes which range from the Youth Club through to the older groups including the Blue Bulls TuksRugby Academy. The best way to get in touch with the rugby club is via email at tuksrugby@up.ac.za.
• Football is another popular sport at Tuks. The club is large enough to host numerous teams such as AmaTuks and the senior women’s team. The club has teams in almost every level of football including district, regional, provincial and national leagues. You can get in touch with football manager, Kenneth Neluvhalani on 012 420 6086 or via email at kenneth.neluvhalani@up.ac.za.
• TuksHockey is an open club that caters for students and non-students alike. Six teams for ladies and six teams for men are available. So whether you plan to take the sport seriously or you just want to socialise, the TuksHockey Club has a place for you. Annual registration forms are made available on the Tuks website. These forms need to be completed before the hockey trials in February. Further information can be obtained from club manager Natalie Fulton on 079 436 5312 or during office hours on 012 420 6065.
• The TuksNetball Club has a well-structured programme with excellent coaches, which makes this programme attractive and enjoyable in a professional environment. If you are in a residence you can play for Tuks as well as represent and play for your res. Netball season starts in early February and different trial dates are allocated to different age groups to try out for the respective teams. Throughout the year, the netball ladies are exposed to intervarsities, the Sun City Tournament, SA Championships and many more. For more information contact TuksNetball manager Jenny van Dyk on 082 821 2448 or via email at jenny.vandyk@ up.ac.za.
• TuksBasketball is a club that offers players the chance to participate in the House League, the USSA Tournament and the World Student Games. One of the perks of the sport is that if you join the Tuks gym the price is reduced. For more information contact Sibongile Maswanganye on 012 420 6061 or at sibo@up.ac.za.
• TuksGymnastics has four areas in which you can excel: artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, aerobic gymnastics and trampoline. For further information contact the gymnastics office on 012 420 6082.
• The Dance Academy at the university gives lessons in all types of dance. To get involved contact the dance society chairperson Stephanie Stoltz on 083 626 9298 or contact Alta Terol on 084 297 3272.
• Cheerleading is also a way of staying fit and getting involved at Tuks. If your dream is to be a Blue Bulls cheerleader, then TuksCheerleading is the perfect stepping stone to get you headed in the right direction. Contact cheerleading manager Danie Haasbroek on 082 408 6680 to find out more.
• TuksAquatics offers swimming, lifesaving, triathlons, underwater hockey and water polo. All of these disciplines are given special attention and the best facilities. Contact Steven Ball on 012 420 6148 or Sonja Egas on 012 420 6075 for more information.
The University of Pretoria has many sporting codes which any student may participate in. If the abovementioned sports still don’t interested you, Tuks offers many others such as archery, athletics, cycling, cricket, badminton, squash and wrestling. Details can be found on the university’s website at www. up.ac.za.
Photo: Marius Veldhuyzen van Zaten
