The Jeffreys Bay-based G-Force Netball Club is planning to beat the world record for the longest netball match ever played, by playing a total of 75 hours at Victory Christian School, Jeffreys Bay from October 6-9.
The club was established in 2017 by Anina Vlok and Gaylon Louis, and is based in Jeffreys Bay for netball players aged 13-65.
The netball club won the most recent edition of the district championships and ended as runners-up in the Eastern Cape Provincial Twizza Club Championships, in East London in July this year.
In 2018, the team came second in the local KNA League, the runners-up in the Mayor Cup and the winners of the district league.
In 2019, they were the winners of the Mayor Cup and the runners-up in the KNA League for the second consecutive year.
According to Vlok, who is the head coach, the club strives to include the parents of players, to get involved in the day-to-day functioning of the club, such as financial planning, time-on-court planning and coaching planning.
“As a club, we work hard with our strategic planning, making sure we equip the players for future development,” said Vlok.
She further said the club supports the National Federation Policy, concerning capacity building and attainment for equity, with their focus being how to assist members with special needs and people in informal settlements.
“We make sure to build strong relationships with key stakeholders of the game and with the National Federation Policy, with annual goals being set and communicated through the district and national federations,” said Vlok.
To further add to their accomplishments for the year, the netball club is now planning to be the first local netball team to challenge the world record for the longest netball match.
The current title holder is Australian-based netball team Generation Netball Club who played for 72 hours and five minutes in 2015.
To beat this world record, G-Force plans to play a total of 75 hours.
Vlok said the club has grown so much and although they have accomplished a lot in 2022, it has been a tough year for the club.
“Not many people in our district know about netball, so we are partly doing this, not only as a fund-raiser, but also to make our community aware of our club,” said Vlok.
She said, on the day, a total of 70 players from the club would be divided into 10 teams.
There will be seven participants per team and each team will play during a specific time slot.
Vlok said they have put in a lot of planning and dedication to ensure the event is a success.
She said even though the challenge might seem impossible to many, they will continue to persevere.
“This event will just bring our club’s members closer together, knowing that we can do anything through Jesus Christ, because He is not only our provider, but our friend and through Him anything is possible,” said Vlok.
The netball match will start on Thursday, October 6, from 10:00, and will end on Sunday, October 9, at 13:00.
On the day, there will be food stalls and music for the public.
