DCAS and Partners Put Club Development Netball On the Map

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and the Western Province Netball Union boosted the participation of women in sport by hosting the Metropole Development netball tournament in Mitchells Plain on Sunday, 6 October 2013.

Players from the 14 competing teams showed their passion for the sport with some eye-catching displays of skill. Their commitment on the field and desire to win matches had spectators backing them throughout the day. The Vultures team of Khayelitsha won the tournament.

Mr Justin Pasensie of DCAS Club Development says the department is assisting clubs to become self-sustaining and is also providing assistance with goal-setting and planning. “We invested in this tournament to motivate clubs and to promote social cohesion through bringing people from various backgrounds together.”

DCAS targets affiliated and unaffiliated clubs, and introduces them to existing structures and development opportunities through, for instance, the local Dub Union, the WP Netball Union and DCAS Club Development.

Pasensie said coaching clinics, administration workshops and talent identification take place at such tournaments across the Western Cape. These empower players and coaches with necessary skills and improve the standard of netball playing, coaching and umpiring.

The Metropole Development netball tournament was a key event in the “netball revolution” that was announced earlier this year in the DCAS Budget Speech by Minister Dr Ivan Meyer. Such tournaments put development netball on the map for the benefit of many players in all parts of the Western Cape.