The Mitchells Plain Titans Running Club has elected a new executive.
Taking the reins as chair, André Rix brings a love for athletics and a string of achievements to the position.
Ten years ago this year he joined the club, which was established 18 years ago, saying on his election “(I want to) create an overall inclusive buzz in Mitchells Plain.”
Rix’s plans include getting members to participate in a variety of activities in their numbers. “I want us to plan and participate in all four disciplines of athletics – race walking, cross-country, track and field and road running, where juniors, seniors, masters can get to know each other on and off the track.
“We would like people to participate in their numbers in all leagues of all disciplines, and we hope at least to groom and nurture five athletes to make Western Province Colours to have representation in each discipline,” he said.
Growth in membership is also key, Rix said.
“We must maintain athletes and hoping to have a few make athletics their career and not lose them to football, netball, rugby, tennis or gangsterism and drugs,” he said.
The new executive was elected in January and will serve until 2026. The executive is:
- chair: André Rix;
- deputy chair: Isadore Ducket;
- treasurer: Lester Esau;
- secretary: Zoelfah Ryklief;
- trustee: Clinton Johnson and
- race director: Mark Wessels.
Portfolio heads are:
- head coach: Deon Heubner;
- assistant coach: Donovan Davids;
- licensing officer: Leonita Fillies-Trimble;
- ladies’ captain: Juliana Smith;
- men’s captain: Anees Noordien and
- head of social team: Crissy Valentine.
“It is important so that the government can see there’s a need to build a athletics track in the area,” says Rix. “To save a life. It’s to lower the crime rate a child in sport is a child out of court. To eradicate the scourge of gangsterism and violence in the vulnerable community.”
Among other drives the club hope to also raise funds for their own 22-seater bus.
The club is open to all fitness levels. To join, contact registrar Leonita Fillies-Trimble on 063 014 7670.
