1963 – 1974
"How the Sport of Trampoline was Introduced to South Africa"
"How the Sport of Trampoline was Introduced to South Africa"
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| Derick Lotz wearing his Springbok colors at the 1974 World Trampoline Championships, held in Johannesburg. |
What follows are highlights from the years 1963 – 1974, leading
up to South Africa hosting the 8th World Trampoline Championships in Johannesburg, on March 22-23, 1974.
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The business of providing trampolines throughout South Africa was both a lucrative
and growing enterprise. Since its formation in 1960, Trampoline Company S.A., (PTY)
Ltd., had been successfully promoting and selling all types of trampolines. But owners Ron Munn, Olle Areborn and Hilmar Nielson
certainly weren’t alone.
The popularity of trampolines had also caught the
attention of 33-year old Ronnie Lombard, a Springbok gymnast who competed for
South Africa at the 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games. He owned a high-end men’s clothing store in
Johannesburg and partnering with his good friend Ron Froehlich, started a
company under the name: Ron’s Trampoline (PTY), Ltd. Their main source of
business was building and selling backyard trampolines. However, they were also
on the lookout to expand.
The opportunity came at the close of 1962, when Ron Munn
returned to the United States to report for military duty leaving Olle and
Hilmar worried that without Ron’s promotional skills they would be hard pressed
to maintain the previous pace of sales. Clearly they were in need of more
man-power.
A friendly meeting in 1963, between Olle Areborn, Hilmar
Nielson, Ron Froehlich and Ronnie Lombard ended with the merging of the two companies;
going forward under the name, Ron’s Trampoline (PTY) Ltd.
Marijke Van den Boogaard and
Nick Hayes were selected to represent South Africa in this international competition, thus qualifying them to wear the traditional green and gold blazers; commonly referred to as 'Springbok Colors.' 
for photos, results and full-length video of
the
1964
First World Trampoline Championships
Immediately following the spectacular world
event in London, three champion trampolinists from the United States arrived in
South Africa for a six-week visit. Frankie Schmitz, Steve Johnson and Nancy
Smith were met by their expert host Olle Areborn. Olle had pre-arranged numerous
trampoline displays and test matches against South Africa’s finest bouncers:
Marijke Van den Boogaard, Martin Trimmer, Peter Melvin and Neil Yelseth.
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| Article from Cape Argus - 1964 (Courtesy of Derick Lotz) |
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| Marijke Van den Boogaard and Tommy Steyn performing in Cape Town - 1964 (Photo courtesy of Derick Lotz) |
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| Neil Yelseth performing in Capetown - 1964 (Photo courtesy of Derick Lotz) |
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| Marijke Van den Boogaard (Photo courtesy of Derick Lotz) |
6-week tour, published in
Modern Gymnast magazine, Sept/Oct. 1964, page 13 & 32
Throughout this decade, visits
by international trampoline teams to South Africa became an annual tradition. Standouts
included Great Britain in 1965, and West Germany in 1967. These tours shared South African hospitality and the country’s iconic sites such as:
Kimberly Gold Mines, Durban beaches, Cape Town’s Table Mountain and Kruger National Park in exchange for invaluable trampoline coaching, test matches, judging
clinics and life-long friendships.
All their hard work and training certainly paid off, as also throughout this decade, South Africa’s trampoline athletes consistently
placed high in every World Championship that they entered. What follows are highlights and results for World Trampoline Championships spanning the years 1965 - 1974.
Results:
Results:
- Marijke Van den Boogaard - (1965) Consolation bracket;1st Individual, 4th Synchro.
- Colleen Melvin - (1965) 4th Synchro.
- Ronnie Meintjies - (1965) Consolation bracket;1st Individual.
- Ian McNaughton - (1966) 4th Individual, 2nd Synchro, (1967) 3rd Synchro.
- Ron Abbott - (1967) 6th Individual, 3rd Synchro.
- Charlene Paletz - (1966) 3rd Synchro, (1967) 3rd Individual, 4th Synchro.
- Linda Dinkelman - (1967) 4th Synchro, (1968) 5th Individual, 3rd Synchro, (1970) 1st Synchro.
- Vivian Breedt - (1968) 6th Individual, 5th Synchro, (1970) 4th Individual, 2nd Synchro.
- Spencer Wiggens - (1965) 4th Individual, (1966) 2nd Individual, 2nd Synchro, (1968) 5th Synchro, (1970) 2nd Synchro, (1972) 4th Individual.
- Jennifer Liebenberg - (1968) 3rd Individual, (1970) 3rd Individual, (1972) 2nd Synchro, (1974) 3rd Individual, 3rd Synchro.
- Charlene van der Merwe - (1968) 3rd Synchro, (1970) 1st Synchro, (1972) 2nd Synchro.
- Bernard Cross - (1970) 4th Individual.
- Linda Odendaal - (1970) 5th Individual.
- Derick Lotz - (1974) 9th Individual.
- Valken de Villiers - (1974) 3rd Synchro, 8th Individual.
- Stephanie Smith - (1974) 3rd Synchro, 9th Individual.
- Steven Pelser - (1974) 3rd Synchro, 7th Individual.
- Lorraine Hofland - (1974) 7th Individual.
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Read more!
CLICK for: Trampoline History Blog - - 1965 Second World Trampoline Championships
Read more!
CLICK for: Trampoline History Blog - - 1965 Second World Trampoline Championships
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| Men's Trampoline Champions - - 1966 World Trampoline Championships |
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| Synchronized Trampoline Champions - - 1966 World Trampoline Championships |
Read more!
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| Advertisement for Ron's Trampoline on double-decker bus! (Photo courtesy of Ron Froehlich) |
Following another change in management; Hilmar Nielson’s
return to Norway and Ronnie Lombard’s decision to pursue other interests, Ron
Froehlich and Olle Areborn became the sole owners of Ron’s Trampoline (PTY) Ltd.
Under their supervision the company imported Spieth gymnastics apparatus and Puma shoes from Germany as well as expanded into track and field and fitness
products. For a short period, even champion trampolinist Marijke Van den
Boogaard worked at the company and Tommy Steyn, who had assumed trampoline instruction
duties at Ron’s Trampoline School, plus served as National Coach, was hired as the company’s Plant Manager. |
| Olle Areborn in front of Ron's Trampoline Company |
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| Ron Froehlich and Olle Areborn |
In the years that followed, both Olle Areborn and Ron Froehlich remained active businessmen as well as volunteer sports administrators. They both provided leadership to the South Africa Gymnastics Association (S.A.G.A.) with Olle serving as President and Ron as Vice-President from 1966 - 1976.
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| 1974 committee members during the World Championships in Johannesburg (click on photo to enlarge) |
Note the many familiar names in the above list of 1974 committee members during the World Championships in Johannesburg. Especially Helmut Rohnisch who was instrumental in bringing trampoline to Sweden in the 1950's.
Prior to the big competition, several pre-arranged group trampoline demonstrations were held throughout Johannesburg, in which all the international trampoline athletes attending the world championships were invited to participate - - including Ron Munn. This was his first visit back to South Africa since leaving in 1962.
One of the demonstrations took place at the King David's School, where Jannie Jansen, Deputy Principal and director of physical education, was one of the first institutions to include trampoline in their curriculum. As one of the sport's avid supporters, Jannie also served as an international judge and Chairman of the South African Amateur Trampoline Union.
Watch the Video!
Trampoline demonstrations in Johannesburg
at King David School and City Hall - -
in addition to World Championship's opening
ceremonies and preliminary competition.
During the 1974 World Trampoline Championships, Double Mini-tramp and Tumbling were exhibitions events, with the official demonstration provided by a special team from America.
Trampoline safety end-decks were also used for the first time in competition and proved to be such an asset they have been used in championship events ever since.
Watch the Video!
Individual trampoline and synchronized trampoline competition.
Tumbling and mini-tramp demonstrations.
World Championship's closing ceremony
In the week following this competition, athletes and their coaches were treated to tours of local sights and a few days stay in Kruger National Park.
Watch the Video!
- Double-mini Tramp demonstration in Kruger National Park
- Kruger Park animals and touring plus group BBQ party.
And that is how the trampoline came to South Africa!
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Trampoline continues to grow and flourish
throughout the country as both
a sport and a recreational past-time.
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Epilogue ~
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| Ron Munn |
(via their www.TrampolineHistory.blogspot.com and Trampoline History Videos)
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| Ron Froehlich |
Today, Ron Froehlich continues on with involvement in the International Federation of Gymnastics as an Executive Board Member.
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| Olle Areborn (1919 - 2015) "The Father of Trampoline in South Africa" |
Olle Areborn continued managing the business until his retirement at which time he returned to Sweden. But his love for South Africa drew him back to the country. He remained there until he passed away in 2015. It can be agreed by all that Olle Areborn truly was the Father of trampoline in South Africa. He not only had the foresight in 1959 to bring trampolining to the country, but through his efforts and dedicated support paved the way for trampoline's continued success, even through today, in both the recreational and competitive arenas. Thank you Olle - - You will always be remembered.
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Acknowledgements ~
We thank the following individuals for their help
in sharing memories and photographs
that contributed to the
in sharing memories and photographs
that contributed to the
Great South African Trampoline Safari.
Pia Areborn, Ron Froehlich, Sӧren Jonsson,
Derick Lotz, Ian McNaughton, Martin Trimmer
and Marijke (Van den Boogaard) Greenway
Dagmar Nissen Munn & Ron Munn
Derick Lotz, Ian McNaughton, Martin Trimmer
and Marijke (Van den Boogaard) Greenway
Dagmar Nissen Munn & Ron Munn
Helpful Links:
CLICK HERE for Part 1
CLICK HERE for Part 2
CLICK HERE for Part 3
CLICK HERE for Part 4
Great story Ron! Missed that trip darn it.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what happened to Bernard Cross
ReplyDeleteSo much wonderful history in this series. I am reminded of the time I covered some classes for my team mate at SIU, Frank Schmitz, while he went to South Africa. It is great to see the young faces of so many people that I have met through gymnastics. Thanks Ron and Dagmar
ReplyDeleteAnyone know where Linda Dinkelman is ?
ReplyDeleteCharlene Paletz ( South African Trampoline team of 1966 &1967)married Michael Koonin of Johannesburg in 1971.They have been married for 52 years.Michael is an orthopedic surgeon & Charlene is a college professor teaching English & education courses.They live in Miami Florida & have 2 sons & 4 grandchildren.Charlene is still very active in sports.She has been living in the USA since 1975.
ReplyDelete