Young netball players given the platform to shine in the netball league
SANDTON – “Sport is a safe place for some kids and it’s a really rewarding process to watch kids learn, grow, laugh and smile,” says Tamar Lewis.
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One of the biggest challenges during the pandemic across the globe was the fact that people were inactive in terms of participating in physical activities, children in particular.
Action Kidz is gradually restoring the active nature of children through netball. Sandton-based Action Kidz focuses on the development of young netball players and was established in 2016 by Tamar Lewis who wanted to encourage girls to play netball.
Action Kidz has partnered with Sandton Action Sport to start the new netball league season for girls from the ages of nine to 16.
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“We started our league today [September 8] with 30 teams participating. We run three leagues a year for nine weeks and this is the first night of our summer league. It’s a great way for us to scout new talent and put them forward to district teams or provincial teams and it’s incredible to watch. Sport is a safe place for some kids and it’s a really rewarding process to watch kids learn, grow, laugh and smile,” said Lewis.
Nkateko Makelane, a coach and coordinator of the league was ecstatic to have the annual league up and running again. Makelane said, “We have been off for quite some time due to the pandemic but the ambience is really great today, it is going as smooth as it can be and it’s a great feeling to be back.”
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Games will be played every Wednesday until the end of October at Sandton Action Sport.
Due to the pandemic, spectators are not allowed in the arena but support is still shown from parents who can cheer from just outside the netball courts.