Netball newcomers shine at OR Tambo Games

The Emeralds netball team shone at the OR Tambo Games Top 8 tournament hosted at the taxi rank sports ground in Ivory Park Extension Two over the weekend.

Emeralds co-founder Nomalizwe Kunene said the team is only three months old and was honoured to be part of the tournament on December 9.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to Gabisile Nxumalo from Ivory Park for inviting our team to our very first major game in a tournament of this magnitude,” Kunene said.

“We would also like to thank the sponsors of the event. It was a great day and we managed to bring home two cups and seven medals after scooping second position with our u-13 and u-16 teams and third position for the Open team. We highly appreciate the given exposure and mainly the opportunity made available in my home town, Tembisa.”

Kunene also thanked the champions of the day, the Design Hygiene team and Mighty Golden Girls, for the experience they shared with the rest of the teams.

The Emeralds netball team was co-founded by Nomalizwe Kunene Mpofu and Nondumiso Dube, the chairperson and vice-chairperson respectively.

“Having grown up in Kaalfontein, Tembisa, it has always been a wish to open a netball team in our area, and I met Nondumiso who also shares the same passion as me, then we both put our heads together and opened the netball team,” Kunene said.

“Our vision is to create an environment that promotes netball for participation, competition and safe and fun for all within the local community regardless of age, ethnic origin, race, gender or ability. Our goal is not only about the sports but also to give all the girls and ladies a support base out of their homes. To build, encourage, groom and guide every member of the team and to keep our girls out of the streets after school. We will achieve that with the help of our coach, Tasha Moyo.”