Young netball player selected for once-in-a-life-time international tour
Liné du Preez is working hard to raise funds for the Visions Spellbinding Netball Tour, which will be held in Orlando, Florida, USA.
For Liné du Preez (16) from Marlands, netball is more than just a sport, it is her passion.
“My whole world is netball,” she said when she sat down with the GCN on Wednesday.
Liné, who is a Grade 10 learner at Hoërskool Goudrif, has been playing netball since she was in Grade One.
“At first, playing netball was just something to keep me busy,” Liné explained.
“But in time I started taking it more seriously and it became something I did all the time and a huge part of my life.”
Though Liné has played in several different positions throughout her netball career, which has seen her play outdoor and action netball, her favourite position is goal shooter.
“I am not sure why I love the position so much,” Liné said.
“I think it is because you get a clear view of the whole game, while you stand at the end of the court, but more so because of the rush of adrenaline you get when it is time for you to shoot, knowing the whole team is counting on you.”
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Liné, who has played for her school’s first netball team this year and last, has earned her Eastern Gauteng colours for action netball.
She explained how she discovered action netball.
“I didn’t really know about action netball until my mom, Loma, started playing,” Liné said.
“I used to go with her to her games and always wanted to play, but got told no because I was too young.
“Then one day they needed someone to stand in and that was it, I was hooked.”
Liné progressed from team to team, from league to league, until a friend suggested she try out for the Super League and Eastern Gauteng.
“I decided to take the chance and made the team,” Liné said.
When asked if she prefers action or court netball, Liné admitted she loves action netball.
“Action netball is faster and you can play harder,” she said.
“With action netball you don’t have much time to breathe because the nets stop the ball from leaving the court.
“You and the ball are in play all the time.”
Because of her skills on the court, Liné has been selected as part of the team that will attend the Visions Spellbinding Netball Tour in Orlando, Florida, USA, in December 2020.
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The tour’s South African coordinator, Michelle Saville, told the GCN more about the tour.
“It is an international junior netball tournament played indoors, though it is not action netball – as there are no nets,” explained Michelle.
“Teams, made up of top players, come from all over the world to compete.
“The tour offers girls who are serious about netball and have played in the Super League or been selected for a provincial team an opportunity to not only take part in an international tournament, but to receive once-in-a-life-time training.
“The girls are there as ambassadors for their schools, their towns, their sport and their country.”
The tournament also exposes the young players to different styles of netball and training and gives them the chance to make friends from different corners of the globe.
“And with social media it has become so easy for the girls to maintain the friendships they make at the tournament,” said Michelle.
Michelle does not for one minute hide the fact that this once-in-a-life-time tournament, unfortunately, comes with a large price tag.
“I am here to help each family ensure they have the funds for the tour and I do this by helping them find and secure sponsorship and fund-raising opportunities,” Michelle explained.
“There are several different levels of fund-raising, with families also having the option of paying everything by themselves and not taking part in any fund-raising events.
“However, I think it is important for all the girls to participate as it helps build team spirit before they leave for the USA.”
For more information on the tour or if you are interested in sponsoring the tour call Michelle on 084 581 6090 or send an email to michelle@savillem.co.za.
For her fund-raising efforts, Liné has a Paint and Sip Afternoon planned for July 27 and a Spring Market Day for September 28.
The Paint and Sip Afternoon will be held at Hoërskool Goudrif from 2pm until 5pm.
While the Spring Market Day will be held at Sunnyridge Primary School’s sports field from 8am until 5pm.
When asked what she looks forward to most about the tournament, Liné, who also has Ekurhuleni North colours for ringball, said with a laugh, “Playing netball.
“Also all the coaching we will receive because I love learning new things.”
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