The netball courts of Gqeberha are about to witness an explosion of talent as teams from across the Eastern Cape and beyond descend on Nelson Mandela University for the annual First Choice Madibaz Netball Tournament on March 20 and 21. This isn’t just another pre-season warm-up, it’s the official curtain-raiser that sets the tempo for the entire local netball calendar.
The tournament, which has become a cornerstone event on the regional circuit, will transform the university’s indoor and outdoor venues into a netball battleground where reputations are forged under genuine match pressure.
“This tournament is a key fixture on the regional calendar and the quality of the field proves as much,” said Madibaz Sport netball manager Melinda Goosen, who has watched the event grow into one of the province’s most sought-after competitions.
The draw reads like a who’s who of Eastern Cape netball. The vast majority of the region’s top club sides will be joined by Rhodes University, Fort Hare University and Walter Sisulu University, ensuring the standard remains fiercely competitive throughout the two-day spectacle.
The hosts themselves are coming out in force. Madibaz will field an impressive 10 women’s teams and two men’s squads, with four of their women’s teams competing in the prestigious A section.
For Madibaz head coach Jeanie Steyn, the tournament represents far more than early-season silverware. It’s an invaluable opportunity to address one of coaching’s perennial challenges: replicating match conditions in training.
“It is difficult to simulate match play in training, so this provides an opportunity to try different combinations,” Steyn explained. “It is also a great team-building opportunity.”
Steyn’s squads this year feature an intriguing blend of battle-hardened veterans and exciting fresh talent, with the split sitting at roughly 50-50 between returning players and newcomers.
“Keep an eye on the new ones; I think they are going to surprise us,” Steyn said, her enthusiasm for her young charges evident.
The tournament provides the perfect platform for these newcomers to showcase their talent and gel with their more experienced teammates in a competitive environment that matters.
But don’t mistake preparation for complacency. There’s genuine rivalry brewing among the Madibaz teams themselves.
“There is healthy competition among our teams,” Steyn admitted. “Our goal is for one of them to win. It will be interesting to see which one.”
The tournament’s popularity has become something of a victim of its own success. Goosen revealed that organisers have been forced to turn teams away, unfortunately unable to accommodate everyone who wants a piece of the action.
Beyond the tactical chess match on court, the tournament plays a crucial role in developing netball talent across the province. The competitive environment, combined with exposure to different playing styles and systems, accelerates player development in ways that training sessions simply cannot replicate.
But this isn’t just about serious netball. The Madibaz know how to throw a party.
Supporters can expect live music, food and refreshments throughout the weekend, creating a festival atmosphere that celebrates the sport and the community it brings together.
“It is a great showcase of the Madibaz vibe and culture,” Goosen said. “It is about great netball and bringing people together.”
With the courts set, the teams ready, and the Eastern Cape netball community primed for action, March 20 and 21 promise to deliver everything fans love about the sport – skill, passion, drama, and that intangible electricity that only comes when the whistle blows and the season begins in earnest.
The question isn’t whether we’ll see quality netball in Gqeberha. It’s which team will rise above the chaos and claim bragging rights as the First Choice Madibaz Tournament champions.
