MTHATHA Central Netball Club took the OR Tambo Netball League title this past Saturday, after defeating Kei Legends Netball Club, with Mthatha Central winning the final match 40-31.
Director of selection from Netball South Africa, Mpumi Javu, said she had been watching the proceedings of the league and was excited by the performances displayed by clubs who participated in the league.
“We are very impressed by the standard of umpiring that we saw. The final match was quite exciting.
“There were elements of excitement, the umpires were quite on (top of) the game and they knew exactly what they were doing.
“Even (though) the players from both sides were good, in sport, at the end of the day there must be a winner and a loser.”
According to Javu, both Mthatha Central and Kei Legends will proceed to the provincial championships, accompanied by the OR Tambo male netball.
“As Netball South Africa, we want to ensure netball is played in each and every corner of the country and through this league we want to see that there are young and upcoming players coming through.”
“In two years’ time, we are going to the 2023 World Cup and we want everybody to feel part of World Cup 2023. We want to make sure there are other players coming through the system.”
She said that this is a great platform to coaches, umpires and referees. Mthatha Central Netball club captain, Rondo Msakeni, told Express that they were very grateful to have won the league.
“We are going to the provincial championships now and we are definitely going to qualify for the National Twizza Netball Championship.”
It was a tough final against Kei Legends, especially in the first quarter, but we ended up winning the match.”
Other teams who participated in the league include Walter Sisulu University, Juventus, Coastal Strikers, Lions and Young Tigers.
