The Spar Baby Proteas, South Africa’s National Under-21 Netball team, will be among the star attractions at the Spar National Championships, taking place at Ellis Park Netball Arena in Johannesburg from 1-7 December 2024.
This was announced by Netball South Africa (NSA) on Monday, confirming that the U21 team will compete in the Senior A section of the prestigious tournament as part of their preparation for upcoming international events.
Traditionally held in August to coincide with Women’s Month and National Women’s Day, the competition was postponed this year due to the Paris Olympic Games.
NSA revealed that up to 1,800 players will converge on Ellis Park Netball Arena for a thrilling week of action, with the U21 and senior tournaments running concurrently.
In the Senior A competition, 10 districts will battle it out for the title, currently held by Johannesburg.
Meanwhile, approximately 36 teams will compete in the U21 tournament, with a total of 53 teams participating in the senior competition.
NSA president Cecilia Molokwane emphasized the significance of the Spar National Championships, noting it has become a key platform for identifying talented players for both the U21 and senior national teams.
“This tournament has proven invaluable in scouting future stars for our national teams,” Molokwane said.
“It’s also a fantastic opportunity for players to showcase their skills on a national stage.”
Modiegi Komane, CEO of NSA, highlighted the importance of Ellis Park as a venue for the championships.
She said with the need for at least 10 courts to run the tournament efficiently, Ellis Park provides the ideal facilities.
“While we expect hot weather in December, we have a contingency plan in place. We’ll be setting up a large marquee to offer players a designated rest area,” she explained.
