WHS netball teams off to Pretoria 

The Windhoek High School (WHS) netball teams left for Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday to compete in the annual competitive Kloof-Netball Fees with the objective to put up stunning performances in the four-day tournament

One of Namibia’s leading schools in local sport will have their under-14, 15, 17 and 19 netball teams competing in the Paarl Gimnasium Netbalfees from 2 to 5 April in Pretoria, in what is anticipated to be a netball fireworks display.

Speaking to Desert FM, WHS netball coach Sune Verdoes says the school’s netball tournament is normally a very big competition, with 110 schools set to take part in the various age groups categories.

“We will take our A-teams to Pretoria, it’s a very big tournament, you get a lot of game time. . . you get to play about three games a day,” says Verdoes.

“The players are exhausted afterwards but the game time is so valuable for them to shape them and get ready for our local netball when we come back.”

She says preparations of the different teams have gone well and that it is an exciting time for the pupils, who started with preparations right after the end of the school’s athletic season.

Though the heavy rain was a challenge, it did not stop WHS from preparing for the Netbalfees. Verdoes says such tournaments are good for the junior teams and for the coaches to see how they can shape and develop the young players.

“We won the Capricorn Super League first division last year and are very confident this year as these players will get the needed game time. There are always scouts who look at these players and that is good exposure for the young players.”

“We will really come back ready for the local Capricorn Super League.”

The teacher-cum-netball coach says a lot of work goes into preparation and fundraising events to ensure the school takes part in the next year’s event.

She says initially parents were asked to raise N$10 000, but that amount has now decreased to N$8 000 per child.

WHK under-19 star player Golden Kahuikee says she is excited to be part of the journey to proudly represent her school.

“I am ready and grateful to be part of the under-19 as well as the Khomas under-19 team that will take part in the Nedbank Namibian newspaper cup at Outjo, in the Kunene region.”

“We have been well prepared for the tournament. In 2024 I played for both under-17 and 19 because our senior players had to play for the national under-21 netball team.

“It was tough and really not easy, we played 24 games overall.”

Kahuikee says she is thankful to the school, family members and, most importantly, her father Fire Kahuikee, who has always encouraged her to do better amid challenges and to always rise to the occasion.

“Mostly my daddy, I highly appreciate him and shout out to him for always being there,” she says.

Paarl Gimnasium Netbalfees refers to a netball tournament hosted by Paarl Gimnasium, a prominent high school in Paarl, South Africa, and it is a highly anticipated event for participating schools and their supporters.

It’s a significant event as it is a chance to showcase their skills and enjoy a sporting atmosphere.