Netball players from various regions gathered on a cold morning at the Brixton Multipurpose Centre to compete in the much-anticipated Mayoral Cup-Netball 2023 tournament.
The event, hosted by the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Lubabalo Magwentshu, on Saturday, 22 July 2023, was aimed at creating a buzz among locals in preparation for the upcoming Vitality Netball World Cup that will be hosted in Cape Town from Friday, 28 July to August 2023.
The day kicked off with a briefing by the department of Sports and Recreation, which provided participants with all the necessary information about the tournament proceedings.
MMC Magwentshu shared some words of encouragement with players who were itching to hit the court and emphasized the significance of the Mayoral Cup in generating enthusiasm for the Netball World Cup 2023.
South Africa’s privilege of hosting the Netball World Cup for the first time added to the historic importance of the tournament.
Cllr Magwentshu highlighted his priority of putting the spotlight on women sport codes since taking office, starting with netball, to garner the attention and support it deserves. He emphasized the need for hosting such tournaments to raise awareness as women sports often does not receive the attention, sponsorships and equal pay as men’s sporting codes.
Lindi Mgweba, a referee of the sport and part of the Johannesburg Netball Association, expressed her appreciation for the opportunity, recognising it as a crucial developmental step towards the growth of netball.
“The tournament not only provides a platform for the players to showcase their talents but also allowed them to understand their roles and the rules better,” said Mgweba. She commended the presence of the Community Development Department, reinforcing the importance of such events in fostering sportsmanship and unity in the community.
The victorious coach of the winning team from Region D1, Tshepang Malapile, shared her own journey from player to coach and expressed her gratitude for being a part of the tournament.
She acknowledged that winning was not easy as it required hard work, disciplined training, and determination to overcome diverse challenges, including the unpredictable weather conditions. The coach credited her technical team for its invaluable support in achieving success.
As the sun set on the 2023 Mayoral Netball Cup, the passion and determination by the talented netball players set a glowing example for the community. This historic event served as a stepping stone towards embracing women sports and reinforcing the significance of Friday’s Netball World Cup.
With Cllr Magwentshu’s commitment and support from various stakeholders, it is evident that women sports will continue to thrive and inspire generations. The Mayoral Cup-Netball 2023 has left a lasting impression, symbolising unity, empowerment and the celebration of sportsmanship within the community.
The winners of the tournament were:
1st positon was Region D1 (Platinum medals for Mayoral Cup)
2nd position was Region F (Gold Medals)
3rd position was Region G (Silver Medals)
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