Siphelele Nketo 

HARD work has yielded good results for the U19 Harry Gwala district netball squad at the national Telkom Netball Champs in Johannesburg. The squad recently won all matches including the finals under Section A.

Head coach Beberto Mnikina said the team played seven matches, as well as one match in the semi-finals against a netball team in Johannesburg. After winning during the semi-finals, the Harry Gwala district 12-member squad played finals against a netball team in Tshwane A and won 36-28. To celebrate the victory, Mnikina said the squad had been invited to Umzimkhulu by the local municipality at the weekend.

“Training for the national Telkom Netball Champs did not only take us as far as winning the tournament, but we also performed better. Winning the tournament symbolises hard work, from coaches to players,” Mnikina said. Two netball players from the Harry Gwala district squad received high accolades. Mbali Diphoko was recognised for Best Shooter, while Sinegugu Gamede won Player of the Tournament.

Last year, the squad played under Section A for the first time and came in fifth position.