Midrand Sports Academy broadens opportunities for young netballers
From its origins producing numerous young cricketers, now representing Gauteng, the academy’s leadership recognised a natural opportunity to diversify into netball.
The Midrand Sports Academy is expanding its successful development programme beyond cricket, confidently moving into netball. This comes as a response to strong community demand, and the desire to broaden opportunities for young athletes in the area.
From its origins producing numerous young cricketers, now representing Gauteng, the academy’s leadership recognised a natural opportunity to diversify.
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The expansion into netball reflects a thoughtful approach to inclusive youth development, ensuring that more children – especially girls – can access structured sport, build confidence, and develop essential life skills through regular competition and coaching.
Development manager at the Academy Tshoko Moloko said: “We had a number of parents inquiring about the growth of [netball] in Midrand, and had them share their frustrations about the lack of opportunities for young girls to grow and excel. Having seen the doors that cricket, a traditionally male sport, can open for our boys, and girls, we saw it was time to enable the same for girls, or boys, in a sport that is traditionally a female sport, netball.”
The academy is determined to increase the number of matches played each year. “We have seen that game time is key in development. With this in mind, we are targeting for our girls to play at least 30 games in a calendar year, and to play all throughout the year.
“In a world where children spend more time in front of screens than they do in parks, we feel this is vital for their overall development. Not every child will take up the sport with the hopes of becoming a Protea one day, but we do believe every child can benefit, in that it will assist their physical development, making them more athletic and fit to take on the demands of life.”
Additionally, the academy is actively partnering with several schools, recognising their pivotal role in this endeavour. “We were pleased to see one of the schools in Midrand going all the way to win the district champs, which has been a rare feat for Midrand schools. Through partnering, we hope to see more of this.”
Parents eager to learn more about the programme can reach out to Tshoko Moloko at 072 908 8701 or via email at MidrandSportsAcademy@gmail.com.
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