It is Limpopo’s turn to search for the best schools to represent the province at the DSTV Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC).
Hoërskool Ben Vorster in Tzaneen, Limpopo, will be buzzing with over 20 schools from five regions battle it out for places at the national finals set for 12-13 July at Hoërskool Florida in Roodepoort.
The DSNC, which is in its fourth year running, is a partnership between Multichoice, South African Schools Netball, and the Department of Basic Education which offers a platform for players from all schools (urban and rural areas) to get to experience the sport on the same level.
Limpopo Schools Netball coaching convener, Elmari Craig says she is excited about the provincials and is confident that it will be a tough competition.
“We hope that it will be a tight competition until the end and that the best teams make it to the finals. So, they can go and make us proud at the DStv national finals,” says Craig.
She says the province is on a mission to get more schools to play netball regularly to raise the standard of the sport, especially when playing in national tournaments.
“We are busy with a big campaign to empower more of our rural schools to take part in leagues on a regular basis. Not just when there is a big competition. That is the problem, the kids are not used to playing in competitions regularly. They play once in a while. That is the challenge to get them to participate in leagues that are ongoing so that they can get used to that kind of competition. Also to play more against experienced schools because that lifts the game and playing,” says Craig.
The province has had one school, Hlabi Secondary School, become victorious at the national finals.
Craig says the two-time champions have become an inspiration to other schools in the province.
“I think with Hlabi winning the national Sports Award has been an inspiration for a lot of teams. Hopefully, the next champion is ready to go and make us proud,” she says.