POLOKWANE – Pietersburg English Medium Primary School (PEMPS) learner Hope Mathebula was announced as player of the festival at the PEP mini netball festival that was recently held at Laerskool Pietersburg-Oos.

The eight-year-old, who is in Gr 3, said that she is happy to be recognised for how well she played on the day.

“I was very excited because I work hard when I play. I love netball and it makes me happy when I do well,” she said.

Hope started playing netball in Gr 1 and her parents are very supportive of her.

She said that on many afternoons, her father helps her with netball practice once he comes home from work before her mother does.

“When we practice, he always tells me to train for every position because I’ll never know which position I’ll have to play. Before the festival, he encouraged me and told me to play every match as if it were my last match. Be aggressive, be fast and open up for the ball,” she said.

Hope is looking forward to many more years of playing netball and aims to one day play at national level.

“I practice every day because I love playing, and I always look forward to matches,” she said.