Online Reporter
Collin Matiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FROM Mufakose tennis community courts in Harare to play the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II college tennis for Virginia State University Trojans Men’s Tennis Team in Virginia, United States.
The history of Mufakose Tennis Coaching Agency in Harare is a story of resilience, talent, and impact.
Julius Mashonganyika is a product of the Mufakose Tennis Coaching Agency under director and veteran coach Albert Nhamoyebonde and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture-Pre-Veterinary Medicine at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia, US.
“I’m doing this degree because I would like to feed the masses, ending food poverty and making the world a happier place to live.
“With God all things are possible. I know the importance of a prayer. Prayer works,” Mashonganyika said.
“I need to be someone in life by obtaining a college degree, learning, and acquiring knowledge, skills, and values. I love education.
“A lot of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice goes into pursuing a college degree,” Mashonganyika added.
He often says, “age is just a number,” when referring to his current age (51), emphasising that he doesn’t let his age define his ability to play high-level tennis and compete at a college level.
He recently became the oldest Black tennis player from Africa in history in the US to play college tennis in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II’s Trojans Men’s Tennis and won the 2024 USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation-Tennis in the Classroom Award Winner, showcasing his continued dedication to the sport despite his age.
“I’m the oldest Black tennis player and coach to play college tennis in the United States,” Mashonganyika said.
He has emulated Alan Moore, who is the oldest known male college tennis player, competing at age 61 in 2011.
Moore played for Faulkner University, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) school in Montgomery, Alabama.
Moore’s college career was interrupted by the Vietnam War.
In 2011, at age 61, he kicked an extra point for Faulkner University.
College tennis allows an individual to further their education and graduate with a degree while, at the same time, competing and traveling throughout the US playing the sport they love.
To play college sports in the NCAA, student-athletes must meet academic, amateurism, and registration requirements.
The player/student must complete core high school courses.
He or she must also earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) in core courses and earn a minimum score on the SAT or ACT to meet the college’s acceptance requirements.
For amateurism requirements, the player/student must follow NCAA rules about receiving money or playing for a professional team.
International students must receive an amateurism certification from the Eligibility Centre.
They are required to register with the NCAA Eligibility Centre, provide high school transcripts, test scores, and other academic information, and pay the registration fee.
They are also expected to complete final NCAA-approved core courses as they prepare for graduation, be in good academic standing, make satisfactory progress toward a degree, and meet the college’s unique acceptance requirements.
The NCAA also has policies and programs to discourage alcohol and other drug abuse.
College tennis allows an individual to further their education and graduate with a degree while at the same time competing and traveling throughout the US.
“Age is just a number” is a phrase frequently used by Mashonganyika when discussing his tennis career.
He believes his physical fitness and experience allow him to compete effectively despite being one of the first African (Zimbabwean) tennis players and coaches to be selected for the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Tennis in the Classroom Award.
Mashonganyika recently won the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Tennis in the Classroom Award, becoming the first African to do so.
