St Peter’s netballers hope to represent in IPT
SUNNINGHILL – With one player making the provincial team for the first time, three action netball players from St Peter’s College are hopeful that the interprovincial tournament will take place this year.
Three St Peter’s College learners named in the U17 Central Gauteng action netball team are hopeful to represent the province.
The Grade 11 trio of Khutso Pasha, Jenna Joubert and Kendra Chettiar were announced in the squad of last year. With Covid cases on the rise in the country, the Interprovincial Tournament (IPT) was set to take place in July but may be postponed.
The squad was announced last year, however, the tournament was cancelled due to the coronavirus. With no trials taking place this year, the team from last year was retained for this year’s tournament.
Both Jenna and Kendra have represented the province previously, and said it was exciting to be called up again as they knew most of the players in the team.
Khutso, however, is happy to make her first appearance for the province in the tournament.
Khutso said, “It was my first action IPT trials, so I was more nervous. I’m really glad I tried out at the Sandton Arena because the environment was really welcoming.
“When matches take place, I am so nervous for matches against (WP) Western Province. I haven’t played against teams outside of Gauteng, so I’m excited but nervous to see where everyone is at, skill-wise,” she told Fourways Review.
On March 14, Jenna tore her ACL in her knee during practice for action netball. She said she is hopeful to play again next year, but will be able to accompany the team in the tournament.
The players said they found training during lockdown frustrating, but managed to keep fit through various ways including social media.
“Our school’s netball made a TikTok account where we post fitness videos to show we’re keeping fit, and that is what kept the motivation up.
“It was definitely harder to do it for yourself because it is just you. No one else will push you,” Jenna said.
Goals that the players have, looking to the future in their netball careers, included winning a provincial tournament at a school level and representing the country.
“I can’t wait to trial for the country at our age group. We haven’t had the opportunity to do that yet. I’ve played for Gauteng, so my ultimate goal is to trial for South Africa,” said Kendra.
