Local rising netball star learns a lot at the 2025 Inter-Provincial Action Netball Tournament
Grade 9’s Nonkanyiso Lunga reflected on a powerful journey of growth, resilience, and teamwork at the Inter-Provincial Action Netball Tournament in Cape Town.
A Grade 9 learner, Nonkanyiso Lunga, from Redhill School, was selected to represent the North-Western Gauteng U15 team at the 2025 Action Netball Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT), held in Cape Town from April 2 to 6.
Nonkanyiso described her experience as incredible. It pushed her to grow, not just as a player, but also as a teammate. “The competition was tough, but it taught me that winning is not everything. It is about how you play as a team and the mindset you bring into each game.”
She added that a key takeaway for her was the importance of communication and teamwork. “If you work together, you achieve more.”
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One of her standout memories was the energy and unity within the team, both on and off the court. “The support from the bench, and the other provincial age groups cheering us on, created such a powerful atmosphere. You could feel the energy. It lifted us.”
She explained that their first and only evening match ended in a tough loss. “We were not in the right mindset. We were tired and intimidated, and it showed on the court. However, that defeat became a turning point, after a heartfelt team talk that helped us regroup and refocus. We decided to be the team that one loss wouldn’t define.”
She credited the team’s strong dynamics, and the unwavering support from their manager and coaches, for their overall performance. “Our manager believed in us, and that positivity made all the difference.”
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She said that this tournament helped her build mental resilience, on-court communication, and game-reading skills. “I am now more determined than ever to improve my fitness, sharpen my passing and shooting accuracy, and prepare better, mentally, for future matches.”
She elaborated that the IPT was unforgettable. “It challenged me, taught me about resilience, and gave me the confidence to dream even bigger.”
Quoting Serena Williams, she added: “A champion is defined, not by their wins, but by how they recover when they fall.”
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