Teams battle for netball glory
Winners’ trophy goes to Joe Slovo Freedom High after 34-9 victory
In a tough heritage high school tournament, 12 netball teams competed to be crowned the first winners of the tournament at Edlelweni Primary School on Human Rights Day.
The event was part of a tournament hosted by Phulutho Activities and saw the top four finishers two balls and a kit for each team. Winners received a trophy and gold medals while the runners up received silver medals. In a good showing, Tarkastad High School finished in third place, taking home bronze medals.
The tournament was won by Joe Slovo Freedom High School after beating Bulelani Senior Secondary School 34-9.
Winning coach Nombulelo Duka said: “I am happy with how my girls performed today under the
circumstance of experiencing travelling issues due to fights in the taxi industry but we did our best and won.”
She said: “We will go back to school and start preparations for the
DSTV under-19 tournament, as we represented the province last year in the under-19 nationals.”
Eastern Cape Netball Association president Mpumi Javu said: “I am so
impressed about the level of playing that was displayed by our teenagers.
“We were watching. There’s a lot of talent that has been unearthed and needs to be nurtured. We have identified a few players from this tournament who might represent the senior team in Chris Hani and, with proper training, could make it to Eastern Cape Comets and Eastern Cape Aloes.”
These two teams will represent the province in the Telkom Netball League (TNL), where young talent had the opportunity to shine, as there were senior players who would be retiring soon. The association was scouting for new talent.
“I was impressed with the goal shooting area where we have lacked in defence, and centre court area and the height of the players. Some are still 16 years old but when you see their height they will be taller when they are 19.
“They will have reached the height that matters in netball. How I wish we could have more tournaments like this more often,” she said.
She said tournaments like this opened up opportunities for players to get recognition. For netball to grow, players need to be playing in leagues constantly. This was how to improve skills.
“I admire what (organiser) Phumelele Hlati has done. It was a good initiative and as netball we highly appreciate what he did,” Javu said.