South African Teams Tour – Tournament 9th April 2008

Cumberland Netball Club hosted two South African school teams at the club last Wednesday – Randburg High Schools Under 17 and Under 19 teams. The teams rate in the top 10 schools in South Africa with at least 5 players per team playing in the provincial regional leagues, so they came to give Cumberland a good match!

Randburg coach Annette Steenekamp said: “We have been really looking forward to playing against Cumberland and thank them for their hospitality. We are very competitive and most of our coaches are of national standard, and are also graded as national umpires. We are touring England with the girls and hope to improve their skills even more for next season in South Africa. We thank Cumberland for giving us the opportunity to play them in a very competitive tournament”.

Cumberland’s B and C teams played in a round robin tournament against Randburg Under 17 and Under 19 teams. Randburg’s Under 17 team came out triumphant unbeaten in the tournament with Cumberland B team scooping silver on the night on goal difference.

Club Chairwoman Lindie Champion said: “We were delighted to host Randburg at our club. We are always looking at innovative new ways to improve our performance and playing skillful and competitive teams from South Africa like Randburg and sharing coaching and playing tips with the team was really exciting. Our teams really benefited from the experience and we hope Randburg did too”.

Randburg have been on a tour of the UK, having previously played teams in Bath, Swindon and Oxford. Cumberland was their last competition which they combined with some London sight-seeing.