Kwa-Thema – Reedville Angels has used netball as a platform to empower young girls for over two decades.

This platform was created to promote healthy lifestyles and develop confident leaders in the Reedville (Mzumbe) community.

Founded in 2003 by head coach Sindy Skosana, the girls’ netball development initiative was established with a purpose that extends beyond the court.

The programme aims to help prevent teenage pregnancy and drug abuse while providing girls with a safe environment where they can develop discipline, teamwork, confidence and leadership skills.

Reedville Angels caters for different age groups, including U11, U13 and U15 and above. However, keeping the programme going has not always been easy.

Financial difficulties, limited sponsorship and a lack of resources have resulted in several periods of inactivity since its establishment.

“The programme experienced interruptions in 2006, 2010 and 2016, before facing further uncertainty around the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, I remained committed to the vision.

“In 2021, Reedville Angels was rebuilt, bringing renewed energy to the programme and restoring its place within the community,” explained Skosana.

Skosana said the team currently participates in the Ekurhuleni Sub Region League, tournaments in different communities and the Nomndayi Netball Festival, giving young players opportunities to compete and develop their skills.

“For Reedville Angels, netball is about more than winning matches,” she said.

The programme uses sport to teach girls how to communicate, work as part of a team, make decisions under pressure, deal with disappointment and remain committed to their goals.

These lessons can extend beyond the court into their education, families and communities. The initiative’s core values are unity, respect, determination and community, while its motto, Wings Up, Game On,” reflects its determination to keep moving forward despite the challenges it faces.

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Skosana further described the organisation as more than a team, but a family.

“The important part is to create an environment where girls feel supported, valued and encouraged to reach their potential. The programme’s survival is a testament to persistence.

“Through financial challenges, periods without competition and the disruption caused by the pandemic, I have continued to work and provide girls with an opportunity to participate in sport and develop as individuals,” she said.

The journey of Reedville Angels also highlights the need for greater investment in grassroots girls’ sport.
While talent is widespread in communities, many development programmes struggle to access resources such as equipment, transport, facilities, coaching support, tournament fees, nutrition and sponsorship.

Supporting programmes such as Reedville Angels can therefore extend beyond investing in sport. It can create opportunities for girls to develop confidence, discover their abilities and build positive relationships while giving them a structured environment in which to grow.

For Skosana, the ultimate measure of the programme’s success may not be trophies or league positions, but the young girls who gain confidence, learn discipline and discover their ability to lead.

Through Reedville Angels, netball continues to provide more than a game. It offers girls a place to belong, an opportunity to grow and a platform from which they can dream bigger.

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