Region A Netballs’ OR Tambo Soncini netball squad selected
Twelve girls and one boy between the ages of 16 and 19 were selected from 30 netball players who showed up.
The OR Tambo Soncini Social Cohesion Games were created to encourage well-organised sporting programmes at the ward level.
The aim is to decrease social problems such as drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, and xenophobia and promote healthy communities that engage in sports like football, netball, rugby, basketball, athletics, and swimming.
As a result, on September 16, at Rabie Ridge Stadium, Joburg City, in conjunction with the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation and Region A Netball, held trials for the boys and girls’ netball squads that will represent the region at the regional clash games.
The Soncini Social Cohesion Games start at the local level and progress to the area level, regional level, municipality level, and provincial level, with an international element attached.
Out of 30 girls and one boy aged between 16 and 19 who showed up for the trials, only 12 girls and the only boy, Thente Ngudle, were selected to represent the region at the clash games in Brixton on September 30.
The chairperson and development coach for Region A Netball, Gabisile Nxumalo, said Thente will join other boys from different regions to form a squad that will represent Joburg at the district games.
“We plan to select another 12 females and males who will represent the Joburg district at the provincial games at Germiston Stadium,” said Nxumalo.
“So not being selected does not mean that the players did not show great talent, as there will still be opportunities. Region A has a pool of talented girls and boys, and although only one boy showed up, they believe there are more out there.”
The selectors, which include Sibongile Ndaba, Caroline Basiamisi, Tshepo Tlhabadira, and Nxumalo, based their selections on passing and receiving, dodging either single or double, sprinting, marking, shooting from close or distance, rebounding, intercepting, and footwork and movement.
The chosen players will train together to get to know each other and the coaches better before embarking on a great opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the great upcoming netball players at the soncini games.
Nxumalo expressed her gratitude to the department and the city for providing these young girls with the opportunity to showcase their talents.
She also thanked everyone who attended and made the trials a success, from the technical table, umpires, selectors, and coaches who sent their players to come and trial.
Electrifying atmosphere at the trials
Teaser: Everyone cheered each other on and showed support for the team despite their nerves.
On September 16, local girls and boys gathered at Rabie Ridge Stadium for the OR Tambo Soncini Netball Squad trials.
Out of the participants, 12 girls and one boy were selected to represent their Regional A at the upcoming regional clash games.
The day was filled with excitement, sweat, and the spirit of camaraderie, as the players came prepared and had two matches each to impress the selectors.
The players were determined to prove their worth and gave it their all in each match.
Despite the nerves, the atmosphere was electric as everyone was cheering each other on and showing their support for the team.
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