With the year coming to a close, one team that has impressed has been the Baby Proteas. The team again proved that netball in South Africa is on the right track and has a bright future.
The team booked their place in the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in March of this year, when African countries competed for a spot at the tournament, scheduled to take place in Gibraltar in September.
Hosts South Africa joined Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya, Namibia, and Zambia, who battled it out at the University of Pretoria’s Rembrandt Hall.
Coach Precious Mthembu’s team determined South African youth team was sensational throughout the intense tournament, going unbeaten to book their place in the world showpiece, walking away with victories against Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.
Netball South Africa president Cecilia Molokwane said at the time that she is excited about the future of her sport in the country, at the final Baby Proteas team announcement at Laerskool Constantiapark in Pretoria in August.
“I have immense confidence in the talent and potential of our current crop of young players. They are an absolute delight to watch, and I firmly believe they have what it takes to become future stars of the Spar Proteas team.”
Netball South Africa President, Cecilia Molokwane
“I’m thrilled to see them gear up to represent our country at the Spar Challenge, Spar Championships and the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 in Gibraltar – the future of netball in our nation is bright indeed,” said Molokwane.
The 2025 event will see the South African Under-21 side participate in the competition for the first time in eight years and will be keen to prove their worth when the Netball World Youth Cup kicks off on the 19th September 2025 on the Rock.
The South Africans are in Group D and will be up against three island nations in Fiji, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago as well as African compatriots, Malawi.
Speaking ahead of the draw in Gibraltar, World Netball (WN) President Dame Liz Nicholl DBE said: “This is another crucial milestone on our journey to World Netball’s pinnacle competition for emerging elite netball players, aged 21 or under – The Netball World Youth Cup 2025.
“The Netball World Youth Cup is often the first time many of our young players get the opportunity to compete against teams from other Regions around the world and experience different styles of play, and I am so excited for the athletes to see today what new match-ups and experiences this event will bring.”
Main Photo Caption: With the year coming to a close, one team that has impressed has been the Baby Proteas. The team again proved that netball in South Africa is on the right track and has a bright future. Photo: Netball SA
Photo 2 Caption: Cecilia Molokwane said that she is excited about the future of her sport, and has immense confidence in the current crop of young players. Photo: Netball SA
Photo 3 Caption: Dame Liz Nicholl DBE lauds the journey to World Netball’s pinnacle competition for emerging elite netball players. Photo: World Netball
