Siphelele Nketo
AN exciting moment for netball enthusiasts has arrived as nearly 90 schools will have their court appearance at the upcoming SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge that kicks off in August.
The tournament, now in its sixth year, has hosted 34 regionals in the five years since its inception in 2019. The first year, the fledgling tournament started with only four regionals, quickly growing to seven areas over the following two years. The successful challenge has now doubled in size and travels to eight areas in KZN.
“SPAR KwaZulu-Natal is pleased to see how the challenge has evolved over the years,” said Nelene Rampersad, the promotion, advertising and communication manager for SPAR KwaZulu-Natal, sponsors of the tournament.
She said their involvement goes beyond sponsorship: “We believe in the power of sport to build confidence, discipline and create a sense of belonging among young women and their peers.”
Netting the first tournament this year, Grantleigh School welcomed teams for the Zululand Regional on Saturday, August 1, but unfortunately midway through it was rained out.
Travelling down the coast, Toti Netball Club hosts teams for the South Coast Regional at Hutchinson Park on Saturday August 15. The following weekend, the challenge will move inland to Kokstad College that opened up their picturesque school for the Southern KZN Regional.
Wrapping up the August commitments, Durban Girls’ College is the venue for the Durban Central Regional on Saturday, August 29.
Thomas More College will enjoy having teams competing on their campus for the Upper Highway Regional on Saturday, September 5. The final local tournament, the Durban North Regional unfolds at Ashton International College in Ballito on Saturday, September 12. Concluding the challenges, Pionier Hoërskool in Vryheid is “hoopful” that teams participating in the Northern KZN Regional will shoot for glory on Saturday, September 19.
Eight teams will be returning in the hopes of defending their titles. The North Coast Regional has had four champions, with Khombindela High School eager to retain the honour and earn their third title, however, they will have to wait until next year to pursue this quest.
A newcomer, Kuswag Hoërskool, is the third team to hoist the South Coast Regional trophy and is keen to have a back-to-back victory. The only team with a 100% record in the challenge is Shayamoya Area Secondary School who will be determined to continue their dominance in the Southern KZN Regional.
With home turf advantage, Durban Girls’ College will be vying for their fourth title in the Durban Central Regional. Another team on the prowl for their fourth title, Hillcrest High School, have stood tall dominating the Highway area. The only other team to feature on the top step is Luthayi High School.
Three teams have been crowned in the Durban North Regional, with Danville Park Girls’ High’s name engraved on the trophy twice and on the hunt for a third victory. Ferrum High School currently are the defending champions in the Northern KZN Regional, but host team Hoërskool Pionier have also had the honour of raising the regional trophy once, as have the Smurfs twice, representing Dundee High School.
