Local Action Netball player is ready for battle on home turf at provincial tournament in Benoni, show your support
Get down to the Benoni Action Arena for all the sizzling Action Netball matches.
The Benoni Action Arena will host the first of two Action Netball inter-provincial tournaments (IPTs) this month.
From April 19 to April 24, opens and mixed netball players across men’s, women’s and mixed teams will battle it out at the arena in Elston Avenue for Action Netball provincial supremacy while the overs and unders teams will fight it out at the Secunda Action Sports Arena from April 26 to May 1.
One local Action Netball player who will be giving his all on his home indoor court is Dan du Plessis from Pomona.
Du Plessis has been playing at the Benoni Action Arena for the last six years and is ready to welcome his provincial counterparts to his stomping grounds.
The 30-year-old was first introduced to the fast-paced sport through his sister Danél who invited him to help out for a mixed social team one random night.
It was the beginning of something special for du Plessis, a nationally ranked tennis player, who was immediately hooked on the sport and has since evolved into a formidable Action Netball player.
He stepped up into Super League competition for the Benoni mixed A and open men’s teams and then represented Eastern Gauteng in battle at previous IPTs.
He initially started in the goal defence (GD) position, but has now turned to playing in the goal attack (GA) position.
“My greatest accomplishments in the sport include making the South African mixed open team which toured New Zealand in 2016,” he said.
He will again proudly don national team colours when he represents South Africa in the mixed open side in his second national tournament later in the year.
Du Plessis told the City Times that the goal for his Eastern Gauteng mixed open side at the 2019 Benoni IPT is to make a big name amongst the competition.
“We want to push for gold this year because we have won bronze medals at the last four IPTs,” he said.
“We have a few new and younger players in the team and I am looking forward to playing alongside them.”
Du Plessis expects some big competition from the likes of perennial rivals Northern Gauteng (who have bagged gold six years in a row) and from Western Gauteng.
“There are no easy games at IPTs as all the sides are quite equal in terms of ability.”
Asked why he enjoys playing Action Netball, du Plessis said: “It is a sport that requires a lot of skill, body control and outsmarting of your opponents.”
He encouraged more men to give the sport a try.
“It is quick and competitive and a really good time.
“Guys tend to play a more basketball-style of netball and it is quite hard and intense on the court.”
The local urged spectators to come out and watch the IPT action.
“The atmosphere will be amazing and the vibe is great.
“Come and watch, you might get hooked.”
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