WSU NETBALL DUO SELECTED FOR PRELIMINARY EASTERN CAPE SQUADS FOR THE UPCOMING TELKOM NETBALL LEAGUE

Two WSU netball players' sensational performances during their regular netball season have resulted in the duo's selection for the upcoming Telkom Netball League, the country's premier national netball competition.

Set to be part of the extended squad of division one side, the Eastern Cape Aloes, and the Eastern Cape Comets, a division two side, the Butterworth Campus-based duo that plays for the WSU Vixens club, was spotted and subsequently selected following strong campaigns during the 2024-25 East London Netball League season.

"I'm incredibly proud and excited to see two of our players being selected for the Eastern Cape Aloes and Eastern Cape Comets. This achievement is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and commitment to the sport. Their selection is not only a personal milestone to themselves, but also a proud moment for our club, highlighting the quality and talent we are developing,” said Butterworth Campus netball coach, Avuyile Boqwana.

As would any coach worth their salt, Boqwana was not the least bit hesitant in registering his complete confidence and support for the duo, highlighting their technical abilities and tactical insight.

He said, by his estimation, he believed the two players were selected due to their outstanding skills, discipline, and consistency in performance.

“Their ability to adapt to high-pressure situations, and their strong teamwork and dedication to improving their game, has set them apart from the rest. Both players have exhibited exceptional versatility, making valuable contributions in both attack and defense," said Buqwana.

One of the “Vixens” selected for the Comets, Lindokuhle Modise, a third-year diploma in management student, said she’s been playing for the WSU team since her enrolment to the university in 2023.

Modise, who hails from Durban, said she started playing netball at the primary school level.

“I took to the sport immediately because I had the features to excel in it – I was tall and thus had the advantage of height and this made me enjoy it. Beyond my abilities and satisfaction however, is the pleasure I get from being on the court and working hand-in-hand with my team to achieve the best results we can,” she said.

One of Modise’s proudest moments of netball career was being crowned player of the tournament and best defender at the National Spar Championships after earning provincial colours for the KZN side two years in a row.

Her teammate, Lusikisiki’s very own first-year HR management student who plays goalkeeper and/or goal-defence, Sandanathi Lutshaba, said she was inspired to take to the court by former Proteas netball star Phumza Maweni.

“I found out about the selection in early March and I must confess that I'm very excited to be part of the team, even if I'm not part of the traveling final squad. Just being picked for the team is enough validation for me to know that one day I’ll be good enough to make the traveling squad," said Lutshaba.

The coach, ever enthusiastic, said the university should celebrate this momentous occasion, for having two players within its ranks competing in the nation’s top national competition was an achievement worth noting.

By Thando Cezula