Girls United – growing girl power | Graaff-Reinet Advertiser

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Netball clubs are popping up all over town. On weekends you will find large groups clustered around open spaces, cheering as young girls leap and run with the ball on rudimentary courts.

Behind each club are inspiring women, committed to making a difference in the lives of young girls in their community.

Nolwazi Persensie and Sandra Hendricks, two of these women, celebrate this growth of community netball clubs. "They bring people together, Xhosa and Coloured. Netball is bringing unity back."

Persensie was born in Top Street. She grew up and studied in Graaff-Reinet. She works in the Detective Unit of the South African Police Services. In March 2021 she and uMasizakhe netball veteran, Hendricks, established a netball club for girls in their area because many young girls in their area do not get attention from their parents.

"They wander around the streets and I want to keep them busy after school. Four young girls in our area were sexually assaulted. I am a police official and I thought to myself, surely there can be something I can do."

So Persensie approached Sandra Hendricks, "I knew she was good, netball runs in her blood." Together they started the netball club. "Girls come from all over" Persensie says. "Whenever I meet girls in the street I talk to them about joining - and many do."

A local netball legend

For the past 50 years, Sandra Hendricks has been involved with netball. She started playing in primary school, later joining the Dangerous Darkies, a well-known local sports club. She stopped playing netball in her thirties. Now, 10 years later, Hendricks leads from the front. Not only does she coach the young players, but she also plays with the team.

Girls United

The netball team, Girls United, is part of the Dangerous Darkies Soccer Club. Many of the girls had never played netball before, but already they are experiencing the joy and benefits of the sport. Persensie and Hendricks proudly relate that their u.13 team came first in the local Samara Tournament. The girls who range from eight to 18 are encouraged to join their school netball teams.

Four of these girls were selected to represent their schools at a tournament hosted by Volkskool. "These four girls were so excited, they never imagined this would happen to them. If we expose our girls to sport, their lives can change for the best."

A historical sport site

The site where Girls United practices and play in Hillside, uMasizakhe, has a rich history as an outdoor sports facility for the community. It has long been a 'safe spot' for children and Persensie's husband recalls playing soccer there as a child. And local children continue to play soccer and fly kites on the site. In a 1936 map of the uMasizakhe township, the site is demarcated as a tennis court.

'Girls United' welcomes support from the local community. The teams need kits. Should anyone wish to support the club please contact Nolwazi Persensie on 063 596 4915.

Girls United play their netball to a keen audience last Saturday afternoon.
Photos: Gaby Cheminais