By Sindiswa Ganda
In what probably is the busiest time in the netball calendar, we sit and digest on the sweet fruits the Africa netball tree keeps giving. From the dramatic end of the TNL, the amazing announcement by Netball South Africa (NSA) to the dominance of the Malawi Queens at the recent Cosana Tri- Nations and the ongoing Commonwealth games preparations, the month of June has been one to be noted.
The most notable of all activities would undoubtedly have to be the announcement by NSA that many netballers, past and present are beyond excited about. NSA in its quest to turn netball professional in South Africa has announced a group of 24 athletes both u/21 and senior that have been offered professional playing contracts.
It’s a first of its kind on African soil and one that will pave way for more opportunities alike. The group comprises a majority of local based players with only seven of the 24 currently playing abroad. The contracts commenced on the 1st April 2022, on a performance based condition. Speaking to the press, the president of Netball South Africa and Africa Netball, Cecilia Molokwane said the door is not closed on athletes who didn’t make the initial 24.
‘We are always looking at other players who should be contracted and is therefore important that we give everyone a fair chance to be part of the team’.
Now to the Telkom Netball League in what many expected to be normal proceedings with the Gauteng Jaguars dominating the finals. It was a rather fired up Golden Fireballs however, that flamed the bite of the Jaguar. Having won the last five previous campaigns under Coach Jenny Van Dyk, the Jaguars had to settle for an unfamiliar silver medal under the new administration led by Rozanne Matthyse. The game was a defensive war, with both teams showcasing two of the top defensive combinations in the league. As a result the game was a low scoring one at 35-32 for the Fireballs. A last minute possession game played by Dr Jordaans troops saw them dethrone the Jaguars and write their name in the history books.
Not too far out and on the East of the continent in Blantyre, Malawi, the Cosana Tri-Nations between Malawi, Zimbabwe and Namibia took place. The Queens ranked the highest of the three (7th in the world) and showed their class in outplaying the other two teams and claiming top honours as recorded a clean sweep. Boosted by the return of their defensive powerhouse in Towera Vinkhumbo, the Queens kept their opponents below 40 goals, with only Namibia able to score 38 goals against the hosts. The tournament also hosted u/19s from the three countries with Zimbabwe taking the hours in the tightly contested Junior section.
Tri-Nations Cup Log Results
- Malawi
- Zimbabwe
- Namibia
U/19’s Log Results
- Zimbabwe
- Malawi
- Namibia
The dual purpose of the tournament was assisting with the development of netball in the region as well preparation for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Whilst on that note of preparation for the Commonwealth games in Birmingham in July, the England Roses as well the Malawi Queens are in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The three nations are well into their preparations and are currently participating in a series of closed door practice matches. All three nations announced their respective squads earlier in the month and will be looking forward to making an impact come July.
South Africa have also announced the return of Norma Plummer to the side as a mentor to the current coaching staff lead by Dorette Badenhorst.
The South African squad selected for the 2022 Commonwealth Games is:
Bongiwe Msomi (captain)
Lenize Potgeiter (vice captain)
Izette Griesel
Phumza Maweni
Shadine van der Merwe
Ine-Marí Venter
Zanele Vimbela
Khanyisa Chawane
Boitumelo Mahloko
Tshinakaho Mdau
Lefebre Rademan
Monique Reyneke
Nicola Smith
Nicholé Taljaard
Elmeré van der Berg