Vintage Galz netball stars lift Ndlambe’s flag high
Some set for U19 national event, and one makes Sarah Baartman team
The powerhouse Junior Vintage Galz netball teams in the Sarah Baartman District are making their mark at provincial and national level, with some players selected for the Under 19 national team.
The two junior teams that make up Junior Vintage Galz were crowned the 2022 Twizza Junior Champions and runners up, respectively, last weekend in the Sarah Baartman District tournament at Port Alfred High School.
While it was team effort that saw them walk away with the trophy, some players were rewarded for their outstanding performances.
Coach Nomawethu Ngangqu was named best coach of the tournament and selected as the Sarah Baartman senior netball team manager.
She will travel with them to Potchefstroom in August, when the team will play in the National Spar Naviera Tournament.
An elated Ngangqu said: “This year I had six girls who were selected to go to the second round for the U19 netball trials.
“I have one girl who is selected to play for the U19 Sarah Baartman team – Naviera Gunn from Klipfontein location – and she is playing for my team. I am a very proud coach.”
She said three players from Ndlambe were selected for the U19 National Netball Tournament, two of whom were her players.
“It’s the first time Ndlambe netball players have been selected for a national competition. On the senior team, we have one player who lives in Alexandria but is playing for a club in Marselle called Junior Sundowns who has been selected. She is also going with me to Potchefstroom.”
Getting the teams to the tournament was challenging. “We had to get funds for transport and because all my players are learners under the age of 17, they depend on their parents. But we have The Kariega Foundation, Kenton Rotary Club and owners of The Cornerstone Away shop here in Kenton who sponsored us or helped with transporting us to the tournament venues.”