2014 Varsity Netball season launched
ROSEBANK - Netball, which was once a winter sport, is slowly becoming an all-year-round sport.
This was according to Blanche de la Guerre of Netball South Africa at the launch of the 2014 Varsity Netball season in Rosebank on 9 September.
Varsity Sports is a high-performance competition platform that enables qualifying South African universities to compete against one another in six different sporting codes.
Initially the competition introduced South African universities to Varsity Sevens rugby and Varsity beach volleyball, but recently also launched athletics, women’s hockey, soccer and netball.
Last year, the first Varsity Netball tournament trophy went to Kovsies after a gruelling final against North West University.
“Since the beginning of Varsity Netball, the girls have been able to play more games, and through these games have the opportunity of being scouted for the Proteas team,” said De la Guerre.
De la Guerre acknowledged the universities’ contribution to the brand as one of the biggest reasons for the popularity of Varsity Netball.
The University of Pretoria (Tuks) and the University of Johannesburg are two of the institutions participating in the competition.
Tuks netball player, Lindie Lombard said Varsity Netball has allowed her to grow, as well as have the opportunity to compete with younger girls.
Varsity Netball begins on 14 September at the Callie Human Centre in Bloemfontein; SANDF Kopanelo Hall in North West University in Potchefstroom; UJ Soweto Imbizo Hall in Johannesburg; and the University of Cape Town Sports Centre in Cape Town.
The six-week long tournament features eight of South Africa’s best netball-playing varsities.
