Johannesburg – With three consecutive titles already in the bag, Johannesburg will be the team to beat at this week’s SPAR National Netball Championships at Dr EG Jansen High School in Boksburg.
A record 114 teams from 52 districts have converged on Ekurhuleni to take part in the annual championships from 1-6 December, where Johannesburg are also the defending champion in the Under-21 division.
Speaking on the eve of the event, coach of the senior Johannesburg side Elsje Jordaan said that despite preparations being disrupted by the rainy conditions in the city over the past few weeks, she believes her side has what it takes to lift the trophy a fourth time.
“It’s been special to be champions for three years and going for it for a fourth time. Obviously, we’re going to fight for it as hard as we can,” said the former SPAR Proteas captain, explaining that five players will be missing from the starting line-up – three through international duty and two through injury.
“But it’s a great opportunity for the youngsters. Their eyes are bright, they are excited, and you never know what they’re going to bring. That excites me as a coach,” she added.
“We do believe we have a team that can defend our title.”
Johannesburg captain Tinita van Dyk said there is much excitement in the team heading into the tough week of matches, but they’re taking nothing for granted.
“For us, it’s not that we want to put pressure on ourselves,” said Van Dyk.
“I think we rather see it as motivation, to have confidence in what we’ve done in the past, but this is a new year, a fresh start.
“We’re all starting from zero, but we’re trusting what we’ve been building for the past few years, and we’re going to take that and put in a massive effort.”
Johannesburg will open its campaign with a tough encounter against Cape Town on Monday morning.
At least 68 teams will be contesting the senior division, including the Botswana national team, who are using the tournament as preparation for the upcoming Africa Netball Cup in Malawi.
Meanwhile, also eager to get out on court to begin their title defence is U21 Johannesburg captain Phila Ntuli.
“We are very excited, really looking forward to this week. After all the hard work that we’ve put in, now is the time to really showcase that and just have fun while playing as well,” said Ntuli.
It won’t all be about fun, though, with the captain hungry to taste victory again.
“I genuinely can’t explain how much I want that feeling again… This year, I know exactly what it takes, I know exactly how it feels, and I would do anything to feel that again,” she said.
The team is coached by another former SPAR Proteas captain, Bongi Msomi, who represented the country 171 times.
“I always think positive, and I’m really looking forward to seeing, after the work we’ve done, what the girls can come here and produce,” said Msomi.
“I’m also super-excited for the new members who have joined the team to see what they can do.
“It’s going to be a great week. I just love that SPAR continues to support this event. It’s just fantastic for netball in our country.”
These are the first-ever SPAR National Netball Championships to be hosted by Ekurhuleni.
Newly elected president of Netball South Africa, Mami Diale, explained that the tournament will be raising awareness for several initiatives during the week.
While SPAR continues its steadfast support of the campaign to end gender-based violence, along with the aim of bringing an end to period poverty, the tournament will mark World AIDS Day, 1 December, as well as International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, with several deaf netball teams once again taking part in the event this year.
Action at DR EG Jansen High School begins today at 7.30 am on Monday.
