The landscape of netball in the Northwest Province is undergoing a transformative shift with the introduction of NW Tsukudu, a promising addition to the province’s netball repertoire. In an exclusive interview with Kutlwano Harriet Morule, also known as Granny, the Provincial Netball Chairperson, in the North West Province, The Vryburg Independent Post Team (The VIP Team) gained valuable insights into this groundbreaking development.

For the past three years, the netball scene in the province has been abuzz with the NW Flames, representing the pinnacle of netball excellence. However, Granny highlighted a crucial concern regarding the concentration of high-performance players predominantly from the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District. This led to the strategic decision to establish a second team, now officially known as NW Tsukudu, aimed at nurturing talent from diverse districts across the province. The NW Tshukudu Netball Team derives from what used to be the NW Flames’ Shadow team, previously utilised to feed players in to the NW Flames team.

NW Tsukudu’s entry into the prestigious Telkom National League marks a historic moment, symbolizing inclusivity and opportunity for aspiring netball stars beyond traditional hubs like Potchefstroom. With a dedicated training regimen led by Coach Lebo Mabeko, a seasoned professional from Bojanala, NW Tsukudu is poised to make a resounding impact in the upcoming league.

Granny emphasized the team’s holistic approach, combining rigorous training at Northwest University’s state-of-the-art netball facilities with community engagement initiatives. NW Tsukudu’s outreach program will not only promote netball but also raise awareness about wildlife conservation, particularly focusing on combatting rhino poaching, symbolized by the team’s name, Tsukudu.

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The official launch of NW Tsukudu alongside the Flames on April 19th signifies a moment of pride and unity as the province rallies behind its talented athletes. The symbolic conveyance of the province’s colors by MEC during the launch ceremony underscores the government’s support for sports development and youth empowerment.

As NW Tsukudu gears up for their debut in the Telkom National League starting from April 26th at Ellis Park, all eyes are on these young, vibrant players ready to showcase their skills and passion for netball on a national stage. The Vryburg Independent Post looks forward to covering their journey and wishes both NW Tsukudu and the Flames great success in the upcoming season.

-The VIP Team

-North West Netball