World Netball’s most sought after trophy is currently being showcased to residents of the Northern Cape during a colourful trophy tour.
Residents of Hartswater, Jan Kempdorp, and Warrenton had the opportunity to see the trophy and the tour bus on Friday, 23 June, while residents of Kimberley could do so on Saturday, 24 June. Stop-overs in several other Northern Cape towns will take place until Wednesday, 28 June.
The trophy tour of the Vitality Netball World Cup is taking part ahead of the world tournament from 28 July until 6 August in Cape Town.
A total of 16 netball teams will compete in the Mother City to lift this trophy, with New Zealand the defending champion.
South Africa is competing in Group C against Wales, Sri Lanka, and Jamaika, with the Proteas’ first game on 28 July against Wales.
The trophy was redesigned and was at stake for the first time in 1995 in Birmingham, England.
It was officially handed over from World Netball to Netball South Africa (Netball SA) on 24 May in London. At the occasion, Cecilia Molokwane, president of Netball SA, said it is history in the making.
“The Netball World Cup started in 1963, and South Africa was one of the countries participating, but only now has the Netball World Cup gone to South Africa after 60 years. It is history in the making for us to say that after 60 years, we can bring it to Africa.”
The following day, the trophy arrived in South Africa, ready to start a six-week long tour of the country, visiting all nine provinces.
At several of the stops for the display of the trophy, a short formal programme will take place which includes a photo session and speeches by dignitaries, and mascot Letsatsi assisting with entertainment.
The tour programme for the Northern Cape is as follows:
Friday, 23 June: Frances Baard District
15:00-16:00: Spar Hartswater;
16:00-19:00: Departure to Kimberley via Jan Kempdorp and Warrenton.
Saturday, 24 June:
08:00-09:00: Super Spar Monument Heights in Kimberley;
09:30-10:00: Northern Cape High School;
11:30-12:45: Trophy parade through Kimberley City Centre, Floors, Collville, and Galeshewe;
13:00-14:00: Barkly Road Shopping Complex;
14:30-16:00: Galeshewe Circle.
Sunday, 25 June: JTG District
08:00-09:00: Kuruman at the Spar Mokala Mall;
09:45-10:45: Batlharos at the OP Village Mall;
11:00: Motorcade through Mothibistad to Kathu, with Kathu Village Mall as destination;
12:15-13:15: Parade to the Sivos Sports Ground, led by a majorette performance;
13:30-14:50: Speeches and photoshoot at the Sivos Sports Ground, with the official opening of the JTG Netball Twizza games;
15:00: Official start of the Twizza netball games.
Monday, 26 June: ZF Mcgawu District
08:00: Postmasburg;
12:30: Upington High School;
15:00: Keimoes (Kai !Garib) Municipality;
15:45: Kakamas.
Tuesday, 27 June: Namakwa District
08:00: Pofadder: stop, meet and greet session;
12:00: Springbok: drive-through in main road;
13:00: Street netball games on road in front of Spar with teams from Concordia, Okiep, Nababeep, Bergsig, Carolusberg, and Matjieskloof;
19:00: Calvinia: drive-through;
20:00: Street netball games in main road in front of OK with school teams from Nieuwoudtville, Loeriesfontein, and Brandvlei.
Wednesday, 28 June: Pixley Ka Seme District
10:00: Victoria West;
12:30: Richmond;
16:00: Colesberg: Here several dignitaries will deliver an address, including the premier of the Northern Cape, Dr. Zamani Saul, and Desery Fienies, provincial MEC of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
- For more information on the World Cup, visit nwc2023.org.za or the Facebook page Netball World Cup.
