Sedibeng’s young stars ready for big adventure

Sedibeng’s trailblazing young duo - Alexander Badenhorst and Tanya Fourie - are hoping to add another chapter to their thrilling bowls careers at the 2024 Bowls South Africa Mixed Pairs in Newcastle.

Saying that “age is just a number” is one thing but the pair, the youngest ever to win their district Mixed Pairs competition and also youngest to play in the BSA Mixed Pairs tournament, are living the saying with every bowl delivered.

Alexander and Tanya are cousins playing out of the Sasol Bowling Club and both attend from Transvalia High School. They are the pride of Sedibeng after their fairytale run to the gold medal in the district mixed pairs. Not bad for a team who’s combined age is just 32.

Both have impressed in other disciplines - Alexander won gold twice in row at the U18 Inter-Districts and is also reigning champion in the Sedibeng Men’s Open pairs (a good achievement after finishing with silver in 2023.

Tanya, at just 15, matched her partner’s efforts when she won the Sedibeng District Novice singles title in 2022. It was the start of a run that has now included Sedibeng District Open Ladies Singles gold last year to go wit the gold she won as part of the Sedibeng District Fours in the same year.

It’s no wonder they paired up to win the district title.

Alexander started playing bowls in 2018 and credits his dad, Lourens Badenhorst, as his biggest influence.

Despite his tender age, he insists he is not going to be overawed by the occasion in Newcastle.

“It was a big honour to win the district competition, and it feels great to be the champions. But we won’t be nervous for the BSA Mixed Pairs … it is going to be a great experience and we are going to have fun.”

Tanya has been rolling woods for three years. She says: “My club’s social business league got me hooked. Once I started bowling, I never stopped.”

With a mature head on shoulder, Tanya adds: “My grandfather Louis Badenhorst is the biggest influence on my career. He plays bowls only on club level, but he taught me about endurance, hard-working and to stay strong no matter what challenges live through to me.”

Tanya admits there might be some butterflies when the action commences.

”Yes I might be nervous, but I am really looking forward to meeting new players and learning new skills and pushing myself to new limits.”

It will be fascinating to see how far the cousins can go … limits in the sport don’t appear to have any bearing on them at the start of their careers.

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