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A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM MAASA PRESIDENT, Deirdre Janse van Rensburg
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"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through the experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved." ~ Helen Keller
If the above is true, then 2020 has certainly been the year in which we had ample opportunity for character growth! The Covid 19 pandemic had an enormous effect on our sport this year, from having to write off the competitive season, to being (for some) separated from our beloved horses during the height of the lockdown, to witnessing the devastating economic effect it has had on our country and the world in general.
We think especially of those who have lost their income, and have had loved ones fall victim to the virus. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to you all, and especially now as we face a possible second wave in the weeks and months to come.
On the flip side, we were presented with the unique gift of time. Time to slow down, to reassess our goals, to plan for success. We used the time to improve our basic archery skills with the Lockdown Challenge and subsequent online postal matches, to build our relationships with our horses, to train and to dream, free from the pressure of competition and just for the love of the sport. It may be hard to imagine now, when we are still very much in the grips of the pandemic, but there will come a time when this too shall be behind us, and we will look back and appreciate the time we had in which to slow down.
The MAASA Council also took the opportunity of time out this year to concentrate on building the sport from the inside out. We focused on developing an online training platform for our officials and judges, held a number of training clinics in various provinces, caught up with administrative tasks - and learned to Zoom!! Be sure to check the website for the minutes of all our meetings this year, and be informed on all the latest developments. We would like to encourage you in 2021 to become more involved, via your clubs and the provincial structures within MAASA.
We are also immensely proud of the MAASA SA Team who participated in the IHAA World Grand Prix, and of the excellent placings that the team achieved against a host of international teams. In a year where competition was scarce, it was good to see our archers on track and support them (from a safe distance, of course!).
What 2020 has taught us is to expect the unexpected, adapt to the situation and aspire to greater heights despite the challenges that we face. What 2021 holds for us is anyone's guess, but we will continue to look forward with hope, plan for success and inspire our fellow mounted archers to do the same.
From myself and the MAASA Council, we wish you a safe, peaceful festive season amongst your family and friends, and may 2021 treat you kindly.
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Deirdre Janse van Rensburg with her two mares, Danube and Balaika.
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We are hopeful that our 2021 competitive season will take place, albeit under Covid 19 restrictions. Please take note of the following competition dates:
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The Department of Basic Education finally gave permission to resume school sports, but this was unfortunately too late to save the SANESA competition season for 2020.
However, let's keep our fingers crossed that next year it will be all systems go for our SANESA riders.
Please check the competition schedule for your SANESA qualifier dates in each province, and we would like to remind our Gauteng SANESA riders that we will no longer be holding combined SANESA / MAASA qualifiers, from next year our SANESA riders will get to have the track all to themselves for the day!
Also remember that we now have introduced a lead rein class for the newcomers (Level 0), and that this will be a new class to enter for on the SANESA system. There is no grading option allowed for this class.
The full set of rules and description of this class is available on the SANESA website. Here is a sneak preview of the track layout:
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The SANESA provincial representatives will have all the information of the 2021 classes and will assist you with all your questions. Please feel free to contact them:
SANESA National & Gauteng Rep: Diane Horn 084 549 8119 (diane@captivatinglife.co.za)
SANESA Free State Rep: Zelda Klemp 076 437 8509 (zeldaklemp@gmail.com)
SANESA North West Rep: Vicky van Zyl 082 836 6482 (galopvirjesus@gmail.com)
To all our SANESA youngsters - thank you for remaining positive amidst a trying year. Enjoy your summer holidays!
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Karen Bands, our National Judging / Coaching council member, has tendered her resignation from the MAASA Council. We wish to thank her for her contribution to MAASA, and wish her the very best in her future endeavours.
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