Positive Sports nurtures new talent

Full Stop Communications

Johannesburg teenager Aaron Heyneke is poised to continue his mountain biking success after being named as an ambassador for Positive Sports Solutions. Picture: Johan Pretorius
Johannesburg teenager Aaron Heyneke is poised to continue his mountain biking success after being named as an ambassador for Positive Sports Solutions. Picture: Johan Pretorius

Providing opportunities for promising South African cyclists is one of the key elements of Positive Sports Solutions’ business philosophy – and teenager Aaron Heyneke is the latest to be brought on board.

Besides providing a range of premium cycling products to the southern African region, the SA distribution company helps talented youngsters in the country reach their potential as top-class cyclists.

This approach is behind the recent decision to name the 16-year-old mountain-biker as one of the company’s ambassadors.

The Grade 10 pupil from Jeppe High School in Johannesburg has made his mark in the cycling discipline with a string of successes in the last two years, including winning the Emperors Classic MTB event in the U16 category in 2017 and 2018.

He is also unbeaten in the Gauteng Youth 16 Spur Series for his school this year.

Spokesman for Positive Sports Solutions David Pieterse said Heyneke represented the sort of potential they wanted to help develop.

“Aaron is riding a top-of-the-range MTB Trenton V HEAD bicycle and we see great value in having him as part of our set-up,” he said.

“Besides providing exposure for the HEAD brand, this is an opportunity to support our young riders to become the best they can be.

“It emphasises our support for SA cyclists and a desire to grow the sport in the country.”

He added that Heyneke was a perfect example of what they were trying to achieve.

“We looked at Aaron for some time and he showed true potential. He does not have a coach as yet and never really had a proper bike set-up until a couple of weeks ago.

“Despite that he has been very successful so far and we believe we can help him grow as a cyclist.”

A passionate cyclist since he first rode “with side-wheels” at the age of two, Heyneke is delighted with the support he will receive from Positive Sports Solutions over the next year. The contract ends on August 31, 2019.

“I’m very proud that out of thousands of riders Positive Sports Solutions have chosen me,” he said.

“They are making an impact on cycling in South Africa and I am happy with the exposure I will get through this arrangement. I believe it will open up opportunities for me.”

He added he was looking forward to promoting the quality brands the company distributed in South Africa among his fellow cyclists.

Heyneke’s long-term aim is to achieve success at an international level, but for the moment he is focused on local objectives.

“I would like to become the Junior South African mountain-biking champion next year or in 2020,” he said.

“My immediate target is to defend my title at the Spur national schools championships.”