Wits makes history with 15 netball players set to represent Gauteng
- Tshepiso Mametela
History has come full circle in a first of its kind development which will see 16 promising Wits Netball players representing Gauteng at the Telkom Netball League (TNL) competition scheduled to take place later this year.
Dynamic in every sense of the sporting sense, Wits have embarked on checking a box previously void in its rich heritage, as no student-athlete from the institution has worn the Gauteng colours at the annual inter-provincial event.
Among the first to change this trajectory, Wits’ strength and conditioning coach, Lindie Lombard, along with the talented squad members of the Wits Open team in Renske Stolts; Talja Venter; Melanie de Lange and Tshina Mdau, have all been chosen to run out for the Gauteng Fireballs team, while Samantha Holder, another member of the experienced Wits senior group, was selected into the Limpopo Baobab side.
For the Gauteng Senior Elite squad, Anja Esterhuizen, Dakalo Tshikala, Kagisho Itholeng, Kelly Gouws, Refilwe Tswai, Simone van Reenen, Siphesihle Zungu and Baby Protea Panashe Chiranga have made the cut.
Itholeng, Gouws, Chiranga and van Reenen make the achievement all the more special for Wits as the only juniors in the 16-member Wits contingent. “I think it is a huge achievement for players this young to be exposed to the TNL, even as training partners,” said netball sports officer at Wits Sport, Tebogo Rabothata.
Claudia Aggenbacht and Danielle de Kock raised a competent hand as they made the Gauteng Junior squad; the third of the home province’s teams to be entered into the tournament. “It is an honor and privilege for us as an institution to have such talented student-athletes,” added Rabothata.
“The selection of these student-athletes means a lot for the entire Wits community, the sport and the club itself. It also shows that we have quality and are capable of representing Wits at a higher level in the sport. [The selection of our athletes] will help the institution attract more students to the University as they may also look to join and play for the Wits Netball Club.”