Netball | Excitement Builds As Over 40 Schools Compete In Dstv Schools Netball Challenge National Finals

Roodepoort, 12 July 2024 – Excitement is bubbling up as over 40 schools from across the nation gather to vie for top honours in the DStv Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC) national finals, kicking off today.

The highly anticipated event, hosted at Hoërskool Florida from 12-14 July, will see the best under-19 netball teams in the country compete for the coveted championship titles in the Botho and Ubuntu streams.

This year, over 2,800 schools registered for the competition in March, but only two schools will emerge as the ultimate champions. The Ubuntu stream is particularly noteworthy, as it will crown a new champion following the exit of last year’s winners, Hlabi Secondary School, from the national finals. Hlabi Secondary School, renowned for their dedication and achievement, recently clinched the 'Developing School Team of The Year' award at the prestigious SA Sports Awards, underscoring their rising status in school sports.

In the Botho stream, defending champions Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria (Affies) are determined to retain their title. However, they face strong competition from inaugural winners C&N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje, who are eager to reclaim the top spot. "We want to win the top schools tournament this year but we know it’s going to take hard work," says Oranje captain Marguerite Cronjé.

Since the challenge's inception in 2021, the tournament has showcased fierce competitiveness, with five different schools claiming victory over the years. Notable past winners include Free State’s Oranje, North West’s Potchefstroom Gimnasium, and Eastern Cape’s KwaZakhele High School. Hlabi Secondary School stands out as the only team to have won the competition more than once.

The DSNC, now in its fourth year, is a collaborative initiative between MultiChoice, South African Schools Netball (SASN), and the Department of Basic Education. The tournament aims to unearth and nurture future netball stars, providing a level playing field for schools from both urban and rural areas. The DSNC has become a critical feeder for national teams, with scouts from universities and professional leagues regularly attending to identify and recruit promising talent.

Hoërskool Florida in Roodepoort will be the center of attention during the two-day national finals, where players will strive to impress and secure their place in the annals of South African netball history. The tournament has a track record of producing top-tier talent, including players who have gone on to represent South Africa in international competitions such as the Netball World Youth Cup Africa qualifiers and the Commonwealth Youth Games.

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