La Rochelle crowned Western Cape Schools Netball Challenge champs

La Rochelle were crowned 2024 Western Cape DSTV Schools Netball Challenge champions after beating last year’s finalist Paarl Girls.

La Rochelle emerged victorious with an unbeaten record during the Top-6 playoffs at the De Kuilen High School in Cape Town on Saturday.

They finished on top of group A with eight points followed by Durbanville.

The only hiccup in La Rochelle’s march to their first major netball honours was a 17-17 draw in the Top-6 playoffs with Paarl Gimnasium.

However, they managed to scrape through 21-19 after extra time to retain their unbeaten record at the event.

La Rochelle will be joined by last year’s national finalist Paarl Gymnasium and Paarl Girls at this year’s national playoffs, which are scheduled to take place next month at the Hoërskool Florida in Roodepoort.

Paarl Gymnasium beat Paarl Girls 27-21 in the playoff for second and third place respectively.

While many might find La Rochelle’s sudden rise to prominence as a shock, coach Morne van Tonder, who has been at the helm for the past four years, describes his side's meteoric rise as a just reward for their hard work and dedication.

“At the beginning of the year I told the girls the only thing I can give you is a blank canvas, you must go out there and paint your own masterpiece and in doing so, write your own story. There is just something poetic about this success. In netball circles La Rochelle’s name is not supposed to be ranked among the top schools. But here we are. What an honour and privilege to be playing in the finals. We will remain humble,” said Van Tonder.

In the Ubuntu section it will be Bardale and Manzomthombo from the Mfuleni Suburb in Cape Town who will be traveling to next month's finals.

Bardale beat Manzomthombo 15-10 in the final while they beat Weston from Vredenburg 15-10 in the semifinal.

Manzomthombo was however made to work hard to edge out Desmond Tutu of Paarl, 16-15 in the other semi.

The tournament which has become a highlight on the girls’ sports calendar over the past four years, is a partnership between Multichoice, a leading entertainment platform in Africa, South African Schools Netball, and the Department of Basic Education in a bid to provide a stage for players from both urban and rural areas to experience and participate in a leading woman sport event.