DSTV Schools Netball Challenge: North West Provincials Heat Up

(The Post News)- The race to crown North West’s netball elite is heating up, with 16 top-performing schools preparing to battle it out for provincial glory, and the honour of representing the province at this year’s DSTV Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC) nationals, powered by Bestmed. Provincial action will unfold at Potchefstroom Gimnasium, a school that not only hosted before but also claimed the first-ever DSNC Botho title. Their home court advantage sets the stage for an exciting round of matches, with five national spots up for grabs.

The eventual winners will head to the national finals in Boksburg, hosted by Hoërskool Dr. E.G. Jansen, from 25 to 27 July. Since its inception in 2021, the DSNC has been a collaboration between MultiChoice and South African Schools Netball, aimed at finding and nurturing future stars of the Spar Proteas and Baby Proteas. Schools are grouped into two streams, Botho and Ubuntu, ensuring equal opportunity for both rural and urban teams to shine on the same stage.

All four districts in the province will be represented in both categories. According to North West’s secondary schools netball convenor, Merinda du Preez, the presence of a past champion like Potchefstroom Gimnasium lifts the standard of competition significantly. She says despite changes in the team’s staff and players, the school continues to thrive and set the tone for competitive netball in the province.

Du Preez expects high-intensity games, especially in the Botho stream, where rivalries run deep. Schools like Rustenburg, Volkskool, Bergsig, and Wesvalia are no strangers to the podium, and each enters the tournament with a realistic shot at victory. Rustenburg and Gimmies are currently seen as frontrunners, but no team is being ruled out.

“All teams have been notified and logistics are in place. Saturday’s showdown promises fierce competition, especially among the traditional heavyweights,” says du Preez.