EMALAHLENI Netball Association was the last zone to hold their zonal netball trials, in preparations for the district trials as players showed strength and commitment, while hoping for places that would give them a chance to take part in the district trials.
The trials were held at Men’s Pub and Braai Netball Courts in Komani on Sunday afternoon.
Nine teams took part in the trials: Brazilians Netball Club, Liverpool NC and Wailing Wailers NC from Zwartwater, Mavukayibambe NC from Vaalbank, and five teams from Cacadu (formerly Lady Frere) Angels NC, Terminators NC, Red Tigers NC, Flamingo NC and True Ladies NC.
The Emalahleni Netball Association coaches have selected two squads of U/21s and senior players to take part in the Chris Hani District Trials this weekend, in preparation for the SPAR National Netball Championships.
The Emalahleni Netball Association secretary, Zityhiliwe Jidana, said they were happy with the players selected but raised concerns about the shortage of senior players.
“We are quite happy with the pool of players that we manage to select, especially in the U/21s and I am positive that we will secure places in the district team. But we are also concerned with the shortage of registered senior players, we have senior players in our zone but they are not registered with Netball South Africa but that is something we are working on to improve,” said Jidana.
The SPAR National Championships are one of the biggest netball tournaments held in South Africa, with more than 1 000 players taking part in the senior and U/21 tournaments.
Selected players in the U/21s are Yonela Jacob, Mihle Jongqo, Likho Mzambo, Invite Kedama, Zimkhitha Litholi, Okuhle Bunise, Athulisile Patuleni, Sesethu Madolo, Bianca Tyobeka, Lilitha Kobo, Sinazo Sombhalo, Banele Taho, Mbalentle Makasi and Yonwaba Nkalweni.
In the seniors, the seven selected players are: Lizokazi Mase, Andile Sobashe, Zukhanye Qamata, Zanele Noveve, Zityhiliwe Jidana, Zanele Nxilane and Zimasa Hintsho.
