St Andrew’s hosts grueling sports tournament
Through the festival, we dream to increase the standard of girls’ netball.
Learners across South Africa tested their mettle when they competed in the 2025 Motus Mercedes-Benz First Team Festival at St Andrew’s School for Girls.
In total, 32 schools participated in the tournament; of the 32 schools, 14 were travelling schools.
Hosted between April 3 and April 6, this year’s festival marked the 21st year of hosting the netball festival.
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Played in a round-robin format, teams competed in the trophy section, bowl section, plate section and championship section.
It was the first year Motus Mercedes-Benz partnered with the festival as its title sponsor.
Thanking Motus Mercedes-Benz, the school said it was excited about the partnership and looks forward to a long and fruitful relationship.
Although the wet weather affected some games, forcing the festival to relocate to Edenvale Action Sports Arena for two days, it did not dampen the spirits of the competitors.
According to St Andrew’s head of campus sports, Tara Nooy, the festival went well.
She said the festival and the learners brought energy to the school while vendors and the beverage garden ensured the refreshing of the guests.
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“With the wet weather, we were glad to resume the festival outdoors; the schools were incredibly accommodating,” said Nooy.
Nooy said although the teams understood the relocation to the indoor arena, they were thrilled to be back outside.
“We pushed to get external umpires to ensure the games were appropriately controlled.
“This is a first-team festival and the level of play is of a higher standard and such the umpiring needed to be as well,” said Nooy.
She said with the festival in its 21st year, it feels great for the school to host another successful tournament.
“Through the festival, our dream is to increase the standard of girls’ netball throughout schools in South Africa and offer them a platform where they compete and showcase their skills,” said Nooy.
She said besides being a platform to showcase their skills in tournaments like the Motus Mercedes-Benz First Team Festival, it allows learners to improve their skills, discipline, and teamwork.
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“It is also good that many travelling schools participated as this gives local schools variety in who they play.”
The results for the festival are as follows:
• Trophy section – Reddam Constantia
• Bowl section – Brescia House.
• Plate section – Parktown Girls.
• Championship section: Redhill School.
All-star prizes were awarded to Amy-Jade Saayman (Collegiate), Yamani Daku (Parktown Girls), Tumishang Lamola (Reddam Bedfordview), Over Oduare (Reddam Constantia), Tyra-Leigh de Bruin (Holy Rosary School), Avumile Hlati (St Andrew’s School for Girls), Mbalenhle Raddeloe (Redhill School), Sophie McGregor (Wykeham Collegiate) and Nonhlanhla Nxumalo (Tholulwazi Secondary).
Vinah Mokgatle of St Dominics was the player of the festival.
