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Collin Matiza
IT keeps on getting better and better for renowned Zimbabwean tennis coach Julius Mashonganyika in his adopted home in the United States.
And it’s almost becoming a cliche: the veteran coach recently added another feather to his hat when he won yet another award in the US.
According to reports from the USA, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation selected Mashonganyika as a 2024 USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Tennis Creates Award Winner in the category of Tennis in the Classroom.
This award recognizes administrators, teachers, and school tennis providers who go above and beyond to keep their students active with tennis.
Mashonganyika, who has been based in the USA for more than a decade now and has won numerous coaching awards in that country, will receive his latest award at the 2nd Annual Tennis Creates Gala presented by Onelife Fitness on December 7 at the Salamander Hotel in Washington D.C.
He will be recognized on stage with other award winners.
USTA Mid-Atlantic will provide each award winner, including Mashonganyika, with two tickets to reserve seats at the Gala on December 7 for himself and a guest.
And speaking to Zimpapers Sports from his base in the US yesterday, Mashonganyika could not hide his excitement, saying the award was a great achievement for himself.
He also dedicated the award to the tennis-loving people of Zimbabwe and the coaches who groomed him in this country.
“It’s a very great achievement as the first black African and Zimbabwean to be selected by the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation which consists of Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.
“I’m also the first black Zimbabwean to become a USTA Elite Professional coach.”
Mashonganyika is a product of the Mufakose Tennis Coaching Agency in Mufakose here in Harare and has become the first Zimbabwean Professional Tennis Coach to be selected as the 2024 USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Tennis Creates Award Winner in the category of Tennis in the Classroom.
“My journey in tennis would not have happened without the support of many people, and especially my first mentor, Mr. Albert Nhamoyebonde and some senior Zimbabwean coaches such as Richmore Murape, Shepherd Manyumbu, the late Janet Robertson, Matthew Kapuya, Claudio Murape, and Lazarus Manjoro.
“Thanks to the leadership of the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Committee. Also, I’m a lead coach at USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation and I oversee the Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI) in Loudoun County, Virginia, a national school tennis initiative of excellence whose mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis.
“I established a tennis development programme with more than 10 000 juniors.
“I hold tennis teaching credentials with the USTA, ITF, USPTA, PTR and other organizations, including as a USPTA Elite Professional and a USTA High Performance Coach, and I’ve coached the game in the USA, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
“Since 2010, I’ve been a volunteer with the USTA Mid-Atlantic Section, working in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.
“As a national volunteer, I was a member of the USTA National Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the 2021-22 term, and currently I am a member of the USTA National Public Parks Committee.
“I have been actively involved in tennis coaching business, including serving as 10 and under tennis and a USTA high performance coach.”
“I’m passionate about inspiring the next generation of players and coaches. I know there is abundant talent in the rural areas and high-density areas in Zimbabwe. We need to give more support to physical education teachers in the rural areas in all the provinces,” Mashonganyika said.
Online Reporter