Western Cape and KZN complete DSNC provincial rounds

Paarl Girls High, 2022 DStv Schools Netball Challenge finalists, have an opportunity to better their finish in the competition after booking their place in the national finals of the competition.

The DSNC is in its third year and it is a partnership between Multichoice and South African Schools Netball that offers a platform for players from all schools (urban and rural areas) to get to experience the sport on the same level. The competition starts from the district level up to the national. The competition is divided into two streams, Botho and Ubuntu, which offer an opportunity for the haves and have-nots to go to the top of the competition.

Last year’s silver medallists started the competition hellbent on returning to the nationals set for the 21-23 July to be hosted at Hoërskool Florida, Roodepoort. They were part of 15 schools vying for the top five spots in the nationals of the competition. Paarl Gimnasium and Hoërskool Durbanville are the two schools that will represent the Western Cape in the Botho division while Khanyolwethu Secondary School and Desmond Mpilo Tutu Secondary School will play in the Ubuntu section.

Khanyolwethu’s coach Rea Tebele is excited about the opportunity of playing in the nationals.

“I am so happy that we won, I was so nervous. We want to win, we are going there to win. Our school comes from a poor background and our learners don’t even have a kit, we are struggling. One of the things we want to achieve is for them to get a kit and hopefully a sponsor. Maybe someone that can sponsor with shoes or uniform and anything actually. I think playing and appearing on TV may open opportunities for our players,” says Tebele.

Netball South Africa CEO, Blanche de la Guerre was impressed by the turnout at the venue. She expressed her delight at the number of young players putting effort on the court.

“The first thing that amazed me when I came here was the amount of players, the beautiful facilities, the privilege, and then it reminded me of my playing days. I wish we had this with DStv, how wonderful for the game at this stage! It shows me there is growth and interest most importantly. That is what the trophy tour is trying to create, interest. While this (DSNC) is going on and the Telkom (Netball) League is going on, it’s the netball players that are in the system. Both at the school level and seniors but the trophy tour is going to all the districts, there where there is no netball. If they see this on TV it reminds them of the excitement the trophy brought and that netball must be the choice for any girl to play,” says de la Guerre.

Western Cape Project Coordinator Petrusa Marais was satisfied with the turnout and is confident the top schools will represent the province well at the next stage.

“I think it went well, everything was on time. The best teams progressed to the nationals. The level is very good, I think they can compete with the best in the country,” says Marais.

The outgoing CEO has stressed the importance of good and qualified coaches for all schools to ensure that there is equal growth of the sport throughout.

“There is talent and potential. I would love to see coaches thinking of the future when coaching their teams. I would like to see more black players. The difference between school and school, is you have many qualified and quality coaches in the better schools than we have on the other side. If we can bridge that gap because we have seen a lot of talent but the coaching of the school is not always available. This reminds me of never forget that our coaching department should give attention to those schools where the players are but don’t have the opportunity of qualified and good coaches,” she says.

Shayamoya Area Secondary School and Gelofte Skool will represent KwaZulu Natal in the Botho section while Khombindela High School and KwaVusumuzi High School will play in Ubuntu.