Future in focus as Baby Proteas named for Netball Youth World Cup

ONE COULD only speculate over how powerful South African sport would be if the grassroots sports structures were revived and schools, from elite institutions to township and village centres, were to have extramural sporting activities as part of the school day.

Children love sport, and they have energy and enthusiasm that – if moulded and channelled properly – hold massive potential. I can just imagine the happy headache of selectors who have heard of a sporting prodigy out in a rural village somewhere – can you imagine THAT story?

Currently, there are a few schools – powerhouses, well-funded and well-resourced – that serve as feeders to the country’s club, provincial and national teams. Due to their efforts, South African sport is thriving with exciting, enthusiastic and skilled new talent rising to elite status on a regular basis.

One is left to wonder, though, how many gems are slipping through the cracks.

Nonetheless, speaking of gems, Netball South Africa has officially announced the Under-21 national squad, the SPAR Baby Proteas, for the upcoming 2025 Netball Youth World Cup, which will take place in Gibraltar from September 19 to 28, 2025. 

The announcement was made by acting president Mami Diale, highlighting the team's preparations and previous successes leading up to this prestigious event.

The Baby Proteas, led by coach Precious Mthembu, have delivered strong performances in recent competitions, including a flawless record in the Africa World Youth Cup qualifiers and a dominant international series against Jamaica's Under-21 team. The squad was narrowed down from a larger pool of players through evaluations in various tournaments, including the Telkom Netball League (TNL).

The SPAR Group congratulated the selected players and coaching staff. “The Baby Proteas are key to NSA’s development programme for the future national team, a cause that SPAR is proud to support,” said Mpudi Maubane, SPAR's National PR, Communications & Sponsorships Manager.

"We wish players and the leadership team all the very best as they take on the world. Play with confidence, believe in yourselves, and do your team and country proud.

"SPAR appreciate all the hard work you have put into preparing for the World Youth Cup. We encourage you to stay focused and let your inner champion shine!" continued Maubane. 

In Pool D, South Africa will face tough competition from Barbados, Malawi, Fiji and Trinidad and Tobago. The selection process, which began three years ago, aimed to find players who exemplified dedication and teamwork, ensuring a competitive edge in the tournament.

The selected squad comprises 15 promising players, including captain Phophi Nematangari and aims to continue South Africa’s legacy in netball on the world stage.

No doubt, even this youth team will serve their role as ambassadors of the sport, while many South African supporters, young and not-so-young, look up to them and cheer them on.

Yes, a bigger pool to choose from is the ideal, but there’s nothing wrong with those who have made it to the higher levels of the sport on merit; we can be sure, they will do their schools, clubs, country and above all, their families, extremely proud!

SPAR Baby Proteas Under-21 Squad: Jade Atkins, Renezia Andrews, Ametise Bandu, Kyla Dames, Mbali Diphoko, Lisa Ingwersen, Luca Keun, Bianca Lubbe, Nonkcubeko Mjaliswa, Phophi Nematangari (captain), Zahrah Noah, Giada Prinsloo, Luane Smith, Karla Victor, and Kiara Van Eeden.