R1.3m boost for netball in Central Karoo and Eden districts

Wrapping up the ceremonial cheque handovers to districts across the province in support of developing the code of netball through the 2023 Netball World Cup Legacy Programme, Minister Marais presented R300 000 and R1 005 000 to the Central Karoo and Eden districts, respectively, this week.

Over this past month, Minister Marais has presented the a total of just over R6.6 million and enabling resources to the various municipalities to upgrade netball facilities in their respective communities:

• The West Coast District received R2.1 million to further support the code in the region and the federation with needed equipment.

• The Cape Town Netball Federation received equipment to continue creating the enabling environment needed for affiliated clubs to flourish in the metro region.

• The Overstrand District received R900 000 to increase access and safe participation in the code in the communities of Railton, Swellendam, of which R600 000 is allocated to upgrade the Kleinmond Sport Field’s ablution facilities, clubhouse and netball courts.

• The Cape Winelands district was boosted with R2.3 million, inclusive of conditional grants.

• To upgrade the netball facilities in Prince Albert, the Central Karoo district received R300 000.

• The Eden district was supported with R1 005 000 of which R305 000 is allocated to upgrade the netball facilities in Groot Brakrivier and R700 000 in contribution towards the upgrading of the Outeniqua Sport grounds  

At the ceremonial cheque handovers, Minister Marais said, “ While the 2023 Netball World Cup will take place over two weeks, its legacy will break down barriers to open more opportunities in the Western Cape for generations to come as we actively grow the code by upgrading netball facilities in each district across the province. Providing and upgrading key facilities are critical components of sports development in the Western Cape, the greater South Africa and the world at large. Sport facility provisioning and upgrades create an enabling environment for local, district, regional, provincial, national and even international sports events to take place with the aim of developing sporting talent at different levels of participation.

Together with our valued stakeholders, I look forward to promoting accessible participation in sport and recreational activities for all, while optimizing on the legacy projects that the 2023 Netball World Cup will afford. In this way, the code of netball can flourish in terms of safe mass participation, skills development and talent identification to perform at higher levels of excellence”.