Young talent will be out to catch the eye

THE Eastern Cape schools netball talent will tomorrow converge on East London for trials for a spot in one of 15 age group teams that will go on to represent the province in a national competition in Gauteng at the end of next month.

Thousands of hopefuls from schools from all seven district municipalities of the province will showcase their skills hoping to make the cut for the 15 teams of 10 players per team by the end of the trials.

Selection will start from U12 right up to U18 with two teams per age group and an additional team for the disabled.

Eastern Cape Schools Netball chairwoman Singatwa Magida said they were expecting the best players and selectors to come out in their numbers.

At stake is limited space for provincial teams that are expected to be heading to Boksburg in Gauteng’s East Rand for a national schools netball competition scheduled to take place between June 28- July 2.

“We are expecting the best of the best to showcase their talent tomorrow,” said Magida.

“One thing I can promise is that all selected will be because of merit, there will be no favours whatsoever to anyone.”

The trials resume tomorrow morning at 9am at Grens High School for U14, U15, U16, U17 and U18 while Hudson Primary School will have the U12 and U13’s.

Among the main challenges Magida highlighted was a tendency by all parents to want their children to be selected.

“That though is impossible because we have limited space and I hope parents could understand this,” said Magida.

Also of concern was Alfred Ndzo district municipality which Magida said has always disappointed by failing to show up in previous years.

After the trials, those selected will have the privilege of two squad camps in East London and one in Port Elizabeth to prepare solid teams before the long journey to Boksburg.

Magida said: “Going to national, we will be hoping to restore our dignity because we have been struggling in recent years.

“Even if we get at least two players selected in senior age groups for the national team, that will mean we are getting somewhere but we are banking on our U15’s to make us proud as they won bronze as U14 last year.”

Of the 15 teams expected to go to the national competition, accompanying them will be 15 coaches, 15 managers and as many umpires.

“Ours, as much as it is about players, it is also about capacitation of coaches and grading of umpires which is good for the development of netball in the province,” she said.