Images: City of Cape Town.

Excitement and joy were written on the faces of young netballers when the Cape Town Netball Federation (CTNF) and the City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department launched their local Under 19 Netball Tournament this weekend in Bellville and Mitchells Plain.

The City of Cape Town u19 tournament will be hosted in all sub-districts in Cape Town, with matches played on Saturdays, and will culminate with a final leading up to the 2023 Netball World Cup in June.

“All clubs are very excited to be part of this great initiative which leads to the first ever Netball World Cup being hosted on African soil, right here in Cape Town,” said Igshaan Brenner, vice-chairperson of the CTNF and chairperson of the Mitchell’s Plain Netball Union.

The City of Cape Town provides logistic support to each sub district hosting the tournament. The competition is open to all registered CTNF clubs, with special participation invitations for teams from the Recreation and Parks Department’s Afterschool Netball Programme.

 “Recreation centres in several areas have started netball-focused after school programmes to create awareness of this growing sport and provide opportunities to be active and promote healthy living,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health Patricia van der Ross.

The programme focuses on active communities and all aspects of sportsmanship that can make one a great netball player. This includes fitness, agility, ball passing and catching skills, footwork, netball rules, and teamwork. Those interested in coaching/umpiring a netball game can join to learn this skill if they’re not keen to play.

“With this tournament, we’re allowing our young players to show off and hone their skills,” van der Ross explained – “all while creating buzz and excitement in the lead-up to the Netball World Cup.”

And it’s not just for girls.

“Although aimed at girls, the programme is also open to boys and while it’s about promoting the sport and physical activity; it brings with it additional benefits such as an increased use and ownership of community facilities.”

Van der Ross encouraged communities to support the tournaments to motivate young netballers. 

“We could be inspiring the next members of our national netball team with our cheering and positive reinforcement. Through sport, we can keep our young people engaged in constructive activity, unite, build connections and enhance our well-being.”

Matches will be played on Saturdays, with the final taking place on Saturday 24 June 2023. Below are the match schedules:

 Saturday 27 May 2023

• William Herbert Sports Complex, Wynberg (Area 4)

 Saturday 3 June 2023          

• Gustrouw Sport Complex, Strand (Area 2)

 Saturday 10 June 2023

• Makhaza Sports Complex, Khayelitsha (Area 2)
• Saxonsea Sports Complex, Atlantis (Area 1)
• Blue Downs / Malibu Sports Complex, Blue Downs (Area 2)

 Saturday 24 June 2023

• Bellville Netball Sports Complex, Bellville (Area 1)

Edited by Nicklaus Kruger