Ugu stars tackle Premier’s Netball Cup

The region’s netball team, Ugu Stars, gave off their best during the recent Premier’s Netball Cup tournament, but did not win.

Inkosi All Stars (King Cetshwayo district) won the cup in the finals against Beach Blitz (eThekwini).

The Premier’s Netball Cup was held at the Victoria Mxenge Indoor Centre in Durban from March 5 to 9.

The competition brought together 12 district teams.

Premier Thami Ntuli said the tournament was more than just about competition.

He said it was about giving young netball players the platform to shine, develop their skills, and ultimately represent KwaZulu-Natal on national and international stages.

Ntuli explained that the Premier’s Netball Cup formed part of a broader provincial initiative to invest in grassroots sports and create opportunities for young people to pursue professional sporting careers.

“Through such programmes, the provincial government aims to uplift communities, promote healthy lifestyles, and encourage youth participation in structured sporting activities,” he said.

The Premier was accompanied by the KZN MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mntomuhle Khawula.

Khawula emphasised the importance of school and community-based sports programmes in identifying and developing future stars.

“Netball has grown tremendously in South Africa, and we want to ensure that KwaZulu-Natal continues to produce world-class players who can compete at the highest level,” he said.

He added that the Premier’s Netball Cup is expected to become a cornerstone event in KwaZulu-Natal’s sports calendar, strengthening the province’s reputation as a hub for emerging talent.

The MEC said the initiative reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth empowerment, gender equality in sports, and the overall development of netball in the province.

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