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29/08/2006 12:46 PM - (SA) Big break for Stephanian teen Brian Gaffney
Cody (14) jetted up north on Saturday to further his schooling and table tennis career at the academy that is responsible for the development of South Africa's top sportspeople across several codes. The big break for Cody was made possible by the SA Table Tennis Board, which identified him as one of SA's best talents to nurture for the World Cadet and Youth Championships that will be held in Cape Town in October, 2007. "I am looking forward to the challenge. I expect the going will be tough at the academy. I am going to miss my family, but I am keen to do my best," said Cody, while packing his bags for Pretoria. Cody was in Grade 9 at Windsor High and he underscored his potential by winning three gold medals (singles, boy's doubles and mixed doubles) in the under-14 division at the recent SA junior championships in East London. The rising Stephanian star has dominated these categories at the SA under-12 and under-14 championships over the past six years. A top Chinese coach, Xhou Xiaxing, who has developed several champions in his native land, will take Cody under his wing, at the academy. Cody's grandfather is Pedro Meyer is the leading light in the family, whose name name has become synonymous with Stephanian's successes in the table tennis arena for several decades. Cody's mother Anna-Maria was a SA singles champion in the 1990s. Meyer senior said that the young players invited to attend the academy have the potential to make SA a force to be reckoned with in the African championships within the next two years. Cody will experience a strenuous international schedule while he attends the academy. He will take part in training camps and competitions in Sweden and China and represent SA at the 2007 African Youth Championship in Tunisia. Thus far Cody's only international experience is representing SA at the AYC in Algeria in March.
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