WITH upgrades to several netball facilities, the province is not only ready to host the Netball World Cup 2023, but also developing the code as a professional and recreational activity for generations to come.
Since the end of May funds have gone to upgrading netball facilities, including on May 25 when the West Coast District received R2.1 million to support the code with needed equipment.
The Swartland municipality received R600 000 to upgrade the Chatsworth Sports Ground and about R382 700 for fencing the already upgraded courts in Darling and Kalbaskraal.
The Bergrivier municipality received R300 000 for upgrading the existing netball courts in Rhino Park in Piketberg, and the Matzikama municipality will receive R800 000 to upgrade the netball courts at the Doringbaai Sports Field.
On June 3 The Cape Town Netball Federation received equipment to further create the enabling environment needed for affiliated clubs to flourish in the metro region.
On June 4, the Overstrand district received R900 000 to increase access and safe participation in the code in the communities of Railton, Swellendam, of which R600 000 is allocated to upgrade the Kleinmond Sport Field’s ablution facilities, clubhouse and netball courts.
Following the official launch of the 2023 Netball World Cup logo on Tuesday, Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC Anroux Marais travelled to Paarl to present R2.3 million, inclusive of conditional grants, to the Cape Winelands district affording:
R600 000 to upgrade the facilities at the Groendal Sportsgrounds in Stellenbosch;
R800 000 to upgrade netball facilities in Montagu, Bonnievale and Ashton; and
R900 000 to support the Drakenstein municipality to improve the Weltevrede Sports Field and the upgrade of the Samaai Tennis Courts.
“We wholeheartedly thank our valued stakeholders in WP Netball, Netball SA, district sport councils and various municipalities for collaboratively assisting us in realising our mission to encourage excellence and inclusiveness in sport through the effective, efficient and sustainable use of our resources.
“Together, I look forward to promoting accessible participation in sport and recreational activities for all, while optimising on the legacy projects that the 2023 Netball World Cup will afford.
“In this way, the code of netball can flourish in terms of safe mass participation, skills development and talent identification to perform at higher levels of excellence,” she said.