Varsity Netball hit the ground running

VARSITY Netball will hit the courts running in its fifth edition when the popular event kicks-off on August 27.

The finals will take place on October 9.

Universities from across South Africa are getting ready for this year’s Varsity Netball season and the captains are ready to show their colours. Chante Bester (North-West University), Shadine van der Merwe (University of Pretoria), Megan Gossmann (University of Stellenbosch), Nandipha Jack (Nelson Mandela University), Tanya Mostert (University of Free State), Halala Nxumalo (University of Johannesburg), Silondile Mlondo (Vaal University of Technology) and Desmorine Gawanas (University of the Western Cape) are ready to lead their teams to the final.

Varsity Netball has opened doors for many players in its five short years. Working closely with both USSA and Netball SA, the organisers of Varsity Netball always ensure they remain within the rules and structures of the game.

The captain of University of Johannesburg said her team has everything to go for. “We are definitely not one of the favourites and does not have one exceptional player in the team, but are relying on the entire team to do their work and doing the basic things correctly.” The team ended in third place during the Universities Sports South Africa, USSA, netball championship, bettering the sixth place of last year. “We play as a team and though we don’t have the height that some of the other teams have, we have the ability to play hard and fast.”

“Varsity Netball has its own identity – Sportainment,” said Blanche de la Guerre, CEO Netball SA.

“There are 20 million netball players in the world and we need to show SA why this is such a popular sport. Varsity Netball is one of the platforms where we identify the talent for future national teams.”

Jam-packed action can be expected every weekend starting August 27 which means guaranteed fun for the entire family. Fans will have the opportunity to paint their own posters at select venues ahead of the matches. Stencils, paint and posters will be made available as part of a new match day innovation, tying in with Varsity Netball’s #ShowYourColours campaign.

The opening weekend will take place at both Kovsies in Bloemfontein and Maties in Stellenbosch.

Varsity Netball has only seen two winners in the past four seasons with Kovsies winning it back-to-back in 2013 and 2014 and NWU taking the title in 2015 and 2016.

Eight teams, six weeks, one winner and a number of reasons to ‘show your colours’ at a netball arena near you. Tickets are available, free of charge, on the Varsity Sports app.

For more Varsity Netball:

For all news, fixtures, logs and updates:

Website: www.varsitysportssa.co.za

Facebook: Facebook.com/VarsitySportsSA

Twitter: @VarsitySportsSA

Instagram: @VarsitySportsSA

YouTube: youtube.com/VarsitySportsSA

Official hashtags: #ShowYourColours #VarsityNetball

Varsity Sports app: Google Play Store / App Store

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