KIRK, BRENDA
South Africa
Born 11 January 1951
Died 06 September 2015
Married (1) Jimmy Dimitriou in 1975-divorced. Children Alexis (born circa 1976) and Natasha (born circa 1979)
Married (2) Iain Bryson. Daughter Gabriella born circa 2003.
[Active 1968-1977]
Brenda was part of the South African team that gloriously won the Federation Cup for South African in Johannesburg in 1972 before a wildly packed stadium. They proved it was no fluke by making the final the next year in Germany.
“Yes, it was fantastic” said Brenda “Whenever I think of it I still get goose pimples. The whole thing is like a dream now”.--speaking about the 1972 Federation Cup
Titles
Eastern Transvaal Open (1968-1970)
Southern Transvaal Open )1969 and 1970)
Natal Sugar Championship (1977)
FEDERATION CUP – 1972 – ELLIS PARK, JOHANNESBURG
Extracts from article by Sam Merwis....
Silence. A deathly, unbearable hush. Then, suddenly, a great roar which rocked Johannesburg as Ellis Park erupted. Bedlam. Pandemonium. And tears. Yes, tears from the eyes not only of women, but of men when Brenda Kirk and Pat Pretorius won the last point in the doubles to give South Africa the Federation Cup for the first time – and write perhaps the most glorious chapter in the country’s tennis history.
It was the proudest day in South African sport. “I stand here a very proud South African” said John Vorster the then President of South Africa.
South Africa, seeded 6th, beat Belgium, Brazil, France, the mighty United States and then Britain in the final.
“Yes, it was fantastic” said Brenda “Whenever I think of it I still get goose pimples. The whole thing is like a dream now”.
Pat Pretorius also spoke with nostalgia. “It was wonderful to play in front of our own crowd who cheered us all the way. In the beginning we weren’t given much of a chance especially against France, America and Britain. At times we played above ourselves in the doubles – and the last three doubles proved crucial. It was something that we would never forget, especially the support given by our home crowds”.
A tribute from her coach Jacke du Toit........
As manager/coach of the SA Federation Cup team from 1972-1974, I was always impressed by the determined, positive, motivated, focused, calm, relaxed, confident and anxiety-free manner which she approached her matches. She was a disciplined player, who developed self-will and self-control which led to self-confidence and self-realization.
During practices, 5-6 hours a day - which started 10 days prior to the actual tournament – mainly at the Wanderers Club and Ellis Park, she was always on time and gave it her “all”. Her tactics were always sound, she knew her strengths and weaknesses and concentrated on her strengths in match play. During the opening games, we attempted to discover the opponents strengths and weaknesses, discuss them at change-over breaks and apply useful tactics to exploit the weaknesses. Brenda became an expert in applying those very same tactics.
Brenda (on the left) and Pat Walkden in action at Ellis Park-winning the Fed Cup
Sources:
http://www.tennisforum.com/59-blast-past/1040833-brenda-kirk.html (A Blast Thread)
[Thanks to Rollo for this information]
