Birdies for netball

RANDPARK – Golfers have a blast at fundraising golf day for netball.

April 13, 2017

Nicholas Zaal 1 minute read

Local golfers were more than happy to get into the swing of things in aid of netball at a fundraising golf day.

The event at Randpark Golf Club saw 12 four-ball teams step to the tee for a social day of golf on 11 April, to raise funds for the SA Schools Netball All Ages National Tournament.

The standard of golf was exceptional and, all in all, everyone left feeling satisfied, having helped a good cause while making a few good friends.

Mike Andrews, Arné van Staden, Nic Rowe and Erwin Schmidt play at the golf day.

“I used to coach netball and I love it. I know it needs a lot of development in South Africa,” said a golfer, Tys Joubert.

He explained that netball would be more successful in South Africa if it had more interest from the public, but it is seen to be a women’s only sport, which it is not.

Erwin Schmidt chipped in that the tournament was one of the main feeders to South Africa’s netball squads, and so its contribution was invaluable and must be supported.

The tournament in Boksburg in July is the most important national netball event for schools in South Africa, explained Ronelle Nell, chairperson of Gauteng Schools Netball, which hosted the golf day.

“Around 3 500 players will participate from all nine provinces and South Africa’s U16, U17 and U18 squads will be selected after the tournament,” she said.