Picture: Lonwabo Marele
Hosted by the Cape Town Netball Federation’s Men’s Academy, the tournament was held as a fundraiser ahead of the upcoming season.
Golden Girl’s player-coach, Kamielah Jaftha, said the club is currently not affiliated with any league, however, they try to play in as many tournaments around the city as possible.
She said the matches were tough.
They played three matches, winning two and losing one.
“We all definitely learned a lot there because we played against other teams from other places.
Jaftha said it was also motivational for the young netball players from Manenberg who gave their all on the court.
She encouraged people to continue playing sport.
“Our netball club is open for everyone who wants to join, young or old, rich or poor.
“Our club doesn’t ask anything, just your interest is more than enough and it’s for the love of the game,” she said.
Golden Girls practise from 5pm until 7pm, at the Irvine soccer field, in Manenberg, on Tuesday and Thursday.
Meanwhile, Men’s Academy A team coach, Marina Bothma, said the tournament was to raise funds for the academy players who cannot afford to pay for the trip to the upcoming inter-provincial tournament in the West Coast in April, as well as the national championships in Rustenburg, in North-West, in September.
“It was a huge success with a really good outcome. Thirty teams entered and 25 pitched. We had two courts.
“Overall it was a good fundraiser for our men’s teams. It was also a good platform for coaches to identify players for upcoming leagues,” she said.
Bothma said on Saturday March 7, the academy will host the men’s trials at the CPUT Bellville campus.
“In 2019 our A team had a good season in the B division. We won gold.
“And that was our target because we always won silver. So now that we have achieved it our goal is to get at least a silver or bronze medal in the A division,” said Bothma.
Academy B team coach, Lindley Roberts said the tournament was a success thanks to the hard work from the academy players who organised the event.
“I would like to see us grow even bigger and have bigger events at previously disadvantaged areas because the talent is there,” he said.