Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Hazel "Special" Gumede, Gauteng Netball Academy's head coach, reckons developing young netballers at their institution will not only benefit the province but the country as well.

Speaking to Sowetan yesterday on the eve of the final day of their six-day training camp in Brits, North West, Gumede expressed their continued commitment to develop more players at the popular institution.

The academy is made up of Under-20 players and has produced a number of young netballers who have already represented the country at international competitions.

"We are also preparing more young players who we believe will make the grade at national and international level in the near future," said Gumede.

The former national under-21 and senior team assistant coach added that they were also preparing players for the South African Championships that will be held in East London next month.

The academy, which was established in 2004, has produced players like Tsakane Mbewe and Refiloe Mochaka.

Mbewe represented the country at the U-21 World Cup finals in the United States and New Zealand in 2005 and 2007.

Mochaka was also in the same tournament in New Zealand last year.

Jesto Marx, who is still with the academy, was in the squad that took part in the Zone Six Games in Namibia in 2006. She was also in the Gauteng team for the South African Games in Bloemfontein in 2006 and 2007.

Marx cut her teeth in the national squad at the early age of 14.

Thuli Qegu is in the national U-21 squad and Jermina Nteso is heading for Singapore for the World Cup of the same age group in July next year.

Meanwhile, Soweto Netball Development League's matches will be played at Elkah Stadium in Rockville on Sunday, starting at 1.30pm.