PARKHURST – Women from 'the parks' which include Parktown, Parkwood, Parkview, Craighall Park, Greenside and surrounding areas would like community members to help their netball team grow.
The Parks Netball team has no age restrictions as it looks to grow. Photo: Naidine Sibanda
Women from ‘the parks’ meet every day at Parkhurst Primary School to practise for their netball team. The Parks Netball team which is in the process of being registered started off after team member and Ward 117 committee member Grace Matoni got inspired by a newspaper article enquiring if communities had netball teams.
“It was last year around February after I saw the article that I asked for permission from the ward councillor Tim Truluck who gave the go-ahead. We then wrote letters to schools asking if they would allow us to play there and Parkhurst Primary School agreed,” explained Matoni.
The Parks Netball team hopes to launch a second team for the young players. Photo: Naidine Sibanda
She added that the community was very supportive as they put money together to buy the green and maroon bibs, as well as the balls while they themselves bought the purple bibs. Matoni said the school assisted in finding a professional coach who plays in the Gauteng league for them. Matoni said,
“We really need sponsors because we’re going to be in a league. No one is funding us at the moment so we depend on our contributions hence we are pleading with the community to help us.”
The women from ‘the parks’ meet every day for netball practice and to them it’s a sisterhood. Photo: Naidine Sibanda
She added that some of the team members don’t have proper shoes, but they did make a quotation of where they can buy the proper uniform. The team currently stands at 26 members and people are welcome to join. There is no age limit as there is someone who is over 65 and for the young ones, the team is still working towards getting them into a second team.
Ward 117 committee member who is also a pioneer of the netball team, Grace Matoni, gets her chance to catch the ball. Photo: Naidine Sibanda
The coach comes around on Fridays and Saturdays. “We are different nationalities and regard each other as sisters. It’s a sisterhood that even when one has a problem, we can put hands together and help out.
Some squats for the Parks Netball team as they warm up for their practice session at Parkhurst Primary School. Photo: Naidine Sibanda
“The joining fee is a once-off non-refundable R60 and R50 for a first-aid kit which is also non-refundable; then a monthly contribution of R30,” said Matoni.
Those willing to contribute can contact gracematoni4@gmail.com
The green team puts on full defence against the maroon team during the netball practice. Photo: Naidine Sibanda
Doing any sports activities in your community? Email details of the activity to naidines@caxton.co.za
