Kwa-Thema – Sub-Region E hosted its opening netball tournament for the development divisions, including U11, U13, and U15 teams at the Tsakane Stadium on March 7.
The tournament saw strong participation from teams across Region E, with 18 clubs and 39 teams taking part. The tournament’s purpose was to encourage young girls and boys to take part in netball.
“We wanted to introduce our players to a competitive league that will run throughout the season,” explained Kwa-Thema Netball Academy coach Lebohang Bangani.
The league is expected to continue until September or October, depending on the number of scheduled games. Kwa-Thema Netball Academy participated in the tournament and faced Youth on the Move in the U11 division.
A picture of Kwa-Thema Netball Academy netball team. Photo: Nomsa Ngubeni
“In the first quarter, my team was leading the match. However, several mistakes were made in the midcourt, where players moved out of their channels. This led to too many unnecessary passes, which slowed down the game and prevented the team from increasing their score,” explained Bangani.
Bangani cited that her team had several opportunities and could have secured more goals against Youth on the Move.
“As a netball coach, my goal this year is to develop a structured programme for young players. The focus will be on skills development, teamwork, and ensuring that the game remains enjoyable, while empowering young players to reach their full potential and develop a lifelong love for the sport,” she said.
“For the U11 players, the focus will be on fundamental movement skills such as agility, balance, and coordination, as well as basic netball skills like passing, catching, and shooting techniques.”
Kwa-Thema Netball Academy. Photo: Nomsa Ngubeni
She highlighted that their focus on the U13 players in the programme is to build on fundamentals by introducing game sense, including positioning and decision-making, while also developing more advanced skills such as footwork and defending.
“For the U15 players, the focus will shift to refining skills, improving tactical awareness, and preparing players for higher-level competition. At this stage, players may also begin to explore more specialised playing positions,” explained Bangani.
The tournament has not received any external sponsorship or donations to date. The organisers are pleading with individuals, companies, and small businesses for support with essential equipment and resources to help these young players pursue their netball dreams. Bangani expressed her gratitude to the parents who continue to support the tournament by covering costs such as travel, food, and water.
“Any additional assistance would be greatly appreciated to help these young talents grow and thrive in the sport,” she said.
Over 19 teams participated in the tournament. Photo: Nomsa Ngubeni
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