Reddam House Bedfordview’s U17 netball team has achieved a historic milestone, claiming silver at the South African Schools National Netball Finals and finishing the tournament as the second-best school side in the country.
The finals were hosted at Hoërskool Dr E. G. Jansen earlier this month.
The U17s’ path to the podium was marked by consistent excellence.
They began with a dominant 28–1 win over Redhill at the JOMO district level and went on to finish top at the JOMO finals, earning them a place at the Gauteng Netball Finals in June.
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At the provincial level, the team clinched silver, beating top opposition, including Helpmekaar (the 2024 national champions), Affies Girls, and Hoërskool Garsfontein, securing one of the five Gauteng berths to nationals.
A standout moment at the national tournament came in the playoff rounds, when the team overturned their narrow Gauteng final loss to Menlo Park with a commanding 15–6 victory.
This result showcased the squad’s resilience and tactical growth and underlined their readiness for the highest level of school netball.
Qualifying for nationals is the product of a tiered, merit-based system that rewards sustained performance: teams must place in the top two at the district level to reach JOMO finals, finish in the top three at JOMO to progress to Gauteng, and place in the top five at Gauteng to secure a nationals spot.
The Nationals then assemble the country’s top 40-plus school teams, divided into groups, meaning a national podium finish is a clear marker of provincial and national calibre.
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Reddam’s success is founded on long-term player development and elite coaching. Many of the squad began at the ELS campus and progressed through the school’s pathway. Protea legend Zanele Vimbela led the U17 campaign, supported by acclaimed coaches including Angela Ngwenya, whose provincial record is notable.
The school combines high-performance training, sports psychology, and a player-centred coaching approach to nurture athletes who can compete and thrive at the highest levels.
“This silver medal is a proud moment for our school. It recognises the hard work of every single player, the expertise of our sports department and coaching team, and the unwavering support of families and the whole Reddam community.
‘To rise from our ELS campus to stand on the national podium speaks to the belief, discipline and resilience these girls have shown all year.
“We congratulate them on an extraordinary achievement and look forward to seeing how far their talent will take them,” said Stephen Hazley, executive head of Reddam House Bedfordview.
