Varsity Netball, South Africa’s top intervarsity netball tournament, gets off to a cracking start on Sunday September 14 at the Callie Human Centre in Bloemfontein; SANDF Kopanelo Hall in NWU in Potchefstroom; UJ Soweto Sports Hall in Johannesburg and the UCT Sports Centre in Cape Town. The six-week tournament features eight of South Africa’s best netball-playing universities.
Last year was an incredible year for both netball in South Africa and Varsity Netball. Our national team beat the world number three, England, at the Netball Tri-Nations in Port Elizabeth, and went on to win the Africa Championships in Malawi. These sterling achievements have ensured that netball in South Africa keeps climbing the popularity stakes amongst both players and fans.
“Netball is the fastest growing women’s sport in South Africa”, said Duitser Bosman, CEO of Varsity Sports. “South Africa will without a doubt be the Top 3 in the world in years to come. Our minister is embracing Varsity Netball and Netball as a whole, leading to the growth of this sport in our country.”
Last year, the Varsity Netball tournament trophy went to Kovsies, after a gruelling final against North West University. The nail-biting final was the NWU-Pukke’s only defeat in the tournament. Special mention must be made of Dumisani Chauke, who was selected to join the Spar Proteas in a Diamond Challenge league event. Other notable players included Melissa Myburgh, Adele Niemand, Karla Mostert and Maryka Holtzhausen. Ané Botha was awarded both the Players’ Player and Player of the Series for Varsity Netball in 2013.
This year’s Netball fixtures will include the exciting Power Play, which is accompanied by fast-paced music and exhilarated fans. The games will also include DJ’s, MC’s, cheerleaders, mascots, sponsor giveaways, smoke machines, laser lights and much more.
If you cannot make it to the game each Monday evening, then be sure to catch it live on SuperSport Channel 208 or 210. Games start between 15:45 and 17:15.
