Northern Cape to kick off DSNC provincial finals

Hoërskool Duineveld will be a hive of activity this weekend as it welcomes 12 schools for the Northern Cape DSTV Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC) provincial finals. The schools from five districts will be vying for four spots to represent the province at the national finals.

Hoërskool Dr. E.G. Jansen in Boksburg, Johannesburg will host the fifth annual DSNC at this year’s national finals set for 25-27 July. The DSNC is a flagship schools netball competitions that levels the playing field for players from urban and rural areas an equal opportunity to showcase their talents.

Northern Cape’s Schools Netball chairperson Mary Bezuidenhout is anticipating great excitement for the provincial round although some schools withdrew due to financial constraints.

“We’ve got schools that have withdrawn due to financial issues, it was Ubuntu schools that were withdrawn because of financial problems. But we are looking forward to enjoying the teams playing and healthy competition. All the five districts will be playing against each other,” says Bezuidenhout.

Spar Proteas goal defence and Hoërskool Duineveld alumnus, Sanmarie Visser began her netball career at the school level. Currently playing in Australia’s Suncorp Super League for the Adelaide Thunderbirds although she missed the inaugural DSNC in 2021 due to Covid-19, she says schools competitions are the launchpads to some of the best careers in South Africa.

“Competitions like the DSTV Schools Netball Challenge are crucial. They give young players the platform to showcase their talent and experience competitive environments early. For me, it was a stepping stone that helped build my confidence and exposed me to opportunities beyond school-level netball,” says Visser.

Bezuidenhout has expressed the pride that Visser has evoked in the netball community in the province. She says Visser will inspire the next generation.

“We are proud of her. This is where she started playing, in primary school, Oranje-Noord, and all the way to Duineveld. She is definitely an inspiration for the others in the Northern Cape, especially in Upington,” she says.

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Botho

Hoërskool Upington

Hoërskool Duineveld

Hoërskool Kalahari

Curro Kathu High School

Hoërskool Douglas

Hoërskool Hopetown

Hoërskool Diamantveld

Hoërskool Noord Kaap

Ubuntu

Floors Comprehensive School