Feelings of nostalgia ahead of the Netball World Cup in Cape Town have engulfed a home in Lourensia Park, Somerset West, where 86-year-old Doreen Fingers is excitedly awaiting the spectacle that is scheduled to start on Wednesday 28 July.
“I have such fond memories of playing netball for our district back in the 1970s. We used to play under the umbrella of Blue Bells Netball Club, which was based in Somerset West, and competed with teams in Gordon’s Bay, Sir Lowry’s Pass and Stellenbosch. The netball union was later called the Hottentots Holland Club before being renamed Helderberg.
“But one match that stands-out is when the England Netball team came for a tour here in Cape Town in 1974. I remember those days so vividly and it will forever remain as one of my fondest netball experiences.”
Her love and passion for netball has always remained with her through he years, as she continues to support the game and especially the players and clubs based in the Cape.
“I’ve still kept all the newspaper articles from as far back as the ’70s, which recorded all the special achievements and precious memories. I also keep in touch with some of my friends who used to play netball with me all those years ago.
“We are four elderly women now, all in our 80s, and we would absolutely love to attend at least a single game at the Netball World Cup.
“None of us thought we would see this day, and it’s incredibly exciting that the World Cup is coming to Cape Town.”
The other three women are Diane van der Merwe, Dottie Erasmus and Martha Hendricks Flaendorp, who all played for different teams and against one another.
“If I get a chance to go with my friends it will really be a special moment for all of us,” said Fingers.
