Netbal World Cup Trophy Tour visits town

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GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Netball World Cup Trophy tour arrived in Graaff-Reinet on 2 July and was received with loads of excitement by the community.

This tour is in anticipation of the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 that is taking place in Cape Town from 28 July to 6 August.

PHOTO GALLERY: Netball World Cup Trophy tour

The motorcade and bikers drive started early at the local police station and drove through the Graaff-Reinet suburbs of uMasizake, Kroonvale, Santaville and Asherville into the town centre. They ended at the entrance of Hoër Volkskool, where the brigade escorted the trophy touring double decker bus, with the local netball legends, to the netball courts of the school. Two invitational netball matches between Superspar Spandau and Spar Camdeboo welcomed the visitors.

The ceremony was opened with a prayer by Rev Petrus Gysman of the VGK in Kroonvale. The mayor of Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality, Willem Saffers welcomed the guests and participants and said that this event is a historical moment for Graaff- Reinet and the visit of the World Cup in the area will bring hope to the youth.

The silver cup was received with great excitement and anticipation as a large crowd were waiting at the entrance of Hoër Volkskool's netball court.

The cup escorted by security police in a sliver case was opened by Annelie Lucas, Director of Coaching Netball South Africa and the driving force behind the Legacy programme for the Netball World Cup. Lucas carried the cup showing it around to the spectators.

The MEC of Sport, Recreational, Arts and Culture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, said that it is the first time that the Netball World Cup is held on the Africa continent. "Great opportunities can arise for our girls if they can put great effort in their games. They must do everything in their effort in playing sport and into their education," he concluded.

The South Africa Proteas Team has the best of South Africa's netball players, playing on home ground. Sixteen teams from across the world are expected to arrive for this prestigious international sporting event - South Africa, Australia, Barbados, England, Fiji, Jamaica, Malawi, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Wales and Zimbabwe.

Annelie Lucas with the Cup as the MEC of Sport, Recreational, Arts and Culture, Nonceba Kontsiwe applauds.