SA ready for Netball Tri-Nations

Action netball stars are finally headed to the indoor netball tri-series in Australia.

With the country’s spirit still high as we host the Netball World Cup 2023 in Cape Town, netball remains in the spotlight with eight South African (SA) teams heading off to the World Indoor Netball Association (WINA) Action Netball Tri-Series World Cup in Brisbane, Australia.
Action netball players Nniny Tlhone, Gibon Mogole, Melusi Molefe, and internationally graded umpire Buddy Ntsoelengoe had previously hosted a fundraiser netball tournament at Beaulieu College to cover their travelling costs to the tri-series.

The Tri-Nations competition was launched in 2000 at the Atterbury Action Sports Arena in Pretoria and takes place every three years on a rotational basis with South Africa, New Zealand and Australia competing. The 2023 SA ladies’ team has big shoes to fill as they are the defending world champions of the 7s tournament and runners-up in the 6-a-side competition, while the men’s and mixed teams finished third. A total of 100 players have been selected during the inter-provincial tournament in March to represent South Africa Down Under as part of the U19 ladies, U19 mixed, U23 ladies, U23 mixed, ladies, men’s, and open mixed teams.

Each of the teams has ten players, seven on the court, and three rotating bench players. The South African Indoor Netball ladies’ team has seven Western Province members and three Gauteng players. The seven Western Province ladies have been undefeated for the past two years in their action arena local league, as well as on tour representing Western Province in the inter-provincial tournament taking gold in 6s and gold in 7s.

According to SA tour manager Hazel Coertze, action netball as a sport is not supported by the South African National Department of Sport and Culture and the players therefore must pay their own way with the cost per player amounting to R65 000. “The players have shown great commitment in their fundraising efforts and are practising hard. We are super excited that leading sock manufacturer FALKE South Africa has put their support behind the team and their donation is much appreciated.”

On the SA U19 mixed team, we have Fourways residents Nicolai Mendes, and Teagan Dalgleish representing Gauteng and two local players Nniny Tlhone, and Nadet Budnik both representing the Fourways Falcons. Fourways Review sends all the best of luck as the team heads to the Tri-Nations on August 8th and 9th to make us proud as a nation.

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Players raise funds for indoor netball tri-series in Australia