By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The 4th edition of the Telkom Netball Championship has come to a close, leaving behind a trail of excitement, teamwork and sportsmanship. The five-day event which started on Monday, saw 88 teams of U17/18/19 from across the country battle for the top spot.
The tournament also saw the emergence of new talent, with several players catching the eye of selectors and coaches. The U17 national team of 12 players was chosen from a pool of talented athletes, who participated in the tournament.
The South African team played against Namibia U18 on Friday morning and performed exceptionally, defeating the neighbouring country’s junior side 46-25. This victory demonstrates the school’s outstanding player development efforts, as these athletes had never played together.
Kudos to the national team coaches, Talja Venter and Yolande Stone, for their invaluable contribution, as a result, they also earned their first national team caps.
The SA Schools Netball President, Di Wooley after the International match between SA and Namibia said: “Our focus is on nurturing talent in Africa before going International, making this event a stepping stone for future competitions.”
The grand final match between Tshwane A and Cape Wineland, a repeat of last year’s final, was a nail-biting encounter, with Tshwane emerging victorious. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the teams displayed exceptional skill and grit.
Tshwane was strong in the tournament recording wins in all their game played under the guidance of Amanda Mynhardt. The tournament saw the emergence of new talent, with several players catching the eye of selectors and coaches.
Netball South Africa President Cecilia Molokwane said: “We are thrilled with the success of this tournament, the level of competition, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm shown by all teams has been outstanding. We are proud to have provided a platform for these talented players to showcase their skills.”
U/19 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Best Shooter: Jamie Matfield – Tshwane
Best Centre: Lara Ehlers – Cape Winelands
Best Defender: Lonwabo Khumalo – Zululand
Overall Player: Noncubeko Mjwalisa- Tshwane
The Guardian 