Manzomthombo High School’s senior netball team has, for several years, performed consistently well during national tournaments around the country and now they have set their sights on the Western Cape DStv Schools Netball Challenge, powered by Bestmed, finals.
Manzomthombo, a school from Mfuleni, a bustling subeconomic suburb in Cape Town, will be among the 15 teams who will be vying for the honours at the championship for girls under-19, which will be staged on the netball courts of the Bredasdorp Primary School in the Overberg Town on Saturday.
Frank Xaba has been coaching at the school since 2008, where he has been overseeing the development of the under-14 – under19s teams and has achieved several successes with his Midas touch.
Last year they represented the Western Cape in the Ubuntu section of the DStv Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC) national finals and this year he expects nothing less from his protégés.
“Given all the challenges we have faced thus far, we continue to build our reputation as a team who are capable, not only to retain our Western Cape title, but also to go for gold at the nationals. We are looking forward to the play-offs and have been working hard to be reckoned among the best and challenge the best in the country,” said Xaba.
Manzomthombo will be competing in group C and start their play-off campaign against Punt High School from Mossel Bay. The other two teams in their group are Swellendam and Paarl Girls.
La Rochelle, last year’s Western Cape’s Botho section champions, have been drawn along with Stellenberg and Swartberg in group A. The tournament is a partnership between Multichoice, the 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 women's sport event.
Matches will be live streamed on the SuperSport Schools app. The tournament supports players and also serves to develop the skills of coaches and match officials.