NETBALL: Call for bigger pool to bolster Aloes

Eastern Cape Netball Association president Mpumi Java wants more players from rural areas to be included in the provincial team.

This is part of Java’s plan to transform the Eastern Cape Aloes netball team.

Tomorrow, umpires and coaches will undergo a manager’s course before they go to rural areas next month to impart the knowledge to their rural counterparts.

Java is hopeful that by widening the pool, the provincial outfit will be more competitive in the Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League from next season.

The Eastern Cape Aloes were knocked out of the league in the quarterfinals.

Because half the team is based in Port Elizabeth and the other half in East London, this made it difficult for the team to train together.

Their first training session as a team was in March while other provincial teams trained every day.

“This is something that is currently challenging for us as a province because we have very good players but they live further apart from each other,” she said.

“We need to discuss it in greater detail with Netball South Africa (NSA) because it is handicapping the Eastern Cape netball.”

Java said a plan to have two teams representing the Eastern Cape at the provincial level might be a solution.

Regarding their transformation plans, she said plans were afoot to take the game to rural areas.

“We have already spoken to NSA and they have agreed to come down for accreditation purposes,” she explained.

Java added that having the course would assist with development for the province in the sport.

She highlighted that the coaches and umpires who will be graded after the course will take the skills acquired through the programme to develop the sport in rural areas.

She added that having undergone the programme they will educate umpires and coaches in rural parts of the Eastern Cape on the importance of renewing their membership with NSA and various aspects of management.

A lack of facilities in the rural areas make it difficult for players to adjust to the new and improved ones in the city, she said.

Java said there were a lot of talented unearthed gems that could help the Eastern Cape Aloes.

“The ladies in the former Transkei have no experience in playing indoor netball.

“So they need the exposure of playing in a semi-professional environment. They also need to be educated on proper netball wear,” she said.