Under the passionate guidance of educator and coach Princess Nchabeleng, Thamsanqa Secondary School delivered a showstopping performance at the SA Schools Netball Championships, held at EG Jansen in Boksburg on 1–2 August.
On the opening day, Thamsanqa played four pool games – winning all and securing their spot in the knockout rounds. Day two brought even tougher competition. In the semi-finals, they faced Buhlebemfundo from Soweto in a nail-biting clash. After a 7-7 draw in regulation time, Thamsanqa powered through extra time, scoring three more goals to seal the game 10-7.
They then went on to defeat Luhlaza, a Cape Town-based school, with a convincing 5-0 win.The U17 SA Schools Netball Championships final was a thrilling all-Gauteng derby between Thamsanqa and Chipa Thabane from Pretoria – described by Nchabeleng as the “toughest game of the tournament.” Thamsanqa held their nerve to claim victory with a final score of 11-9.
In total, Thamsanqa Secondary School played eight matches, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament and proudly walking away as national champions.
Nchabeleng told Orange Farm News: “We went into the tournament focused and determined. The team gave everything on that court and it showed in every game we played.”
Match results: Thamsanqa vs Portland (Cape Town): 11-8; Thamsanqa vs Bukit Jalil (Malaysia): 13-11; Thamsanqa vs Diamant (Kimberley): 19-7; Thamsanqa vs Voortrekker (Free State): 19-11; Thamsanqa vs Loalane (North West): 15-4; Thamsanqa vs Buhlebemfundo (Soweto): 10-7; Thamsanqa vs Luhlaza (Cape Town): 5-0
Image: Princess Nchabeleng
