For 20 players, Curro’s first Inter-Curro Netball Tournament ended with another opportunity already waiting: selection for invitational teams that will represent Curro at the Hoërskool Menlopark Netball Tournament in 2027.

That next step gave the inaugural event an immediate link to player development. Across the three-day tournament, 51 teams competed in the under-15 and under-17 age groups, with Curro Hazeldean providing the facilities for the event.

Cindy van der Merwe, Portfolio Manager for Curro Sport, says the tournament was designed with that wider opportunity in mind.

‘This tournament is about so much more than the results on the scoreboard,’ Cindy says. ‘It is a celebration of talent, teamwork and the shared passion for netball that connects us across the Curro family.’

Two age groups, one new platform

The under-15 competition featured 28 teams across four pools, while 23 under-17 teams competed across another four pools.

Curro Hazeldean won the under-15 title, with Curro Heuwelkruin second and Curro Durbanville third.

In the under-17 competition, Curro Hillcrest took first place, followed by Curro Thatchfield and Curro Kathu.

Individual recognition went to Rotondwa Ramalsea of Curro Heuwelkruin, who was named under-15 player of the tournament, and Nkateko Mpenyani of Curro Thatchfield, the under-17 player of the tournament.

Curro Aurora received the team spirit award.

Selection extends beyond the weekend

The tournament also served as a selection opportunity for two Curro invitational sides that will compete at the Hoërskool Menlopark Netball Tournament in 2027.

The under-16 invitational team comprises:

• Thou Motana – Curro Hazeldean
• Oniotse Modise – Curro Heuwelkruin
• Iyla Forshaw – Curro Hillcrest
• Takra Jochems – Curro Durbanville
• Rotondwa Ramalsea – Curro Heuwelkruin
• Jizelle du Plessis – Curro Nelspruit
• Jesse Petersen – Curro Durbanville
• Emily Coetzee – Curro Hillcrest
• Taylor Davids – Curro Heuwelkruin
• Singita Mangdele – Curro Heuwelkruin

The under-18 invitational team comprises:

• Ronewa Matamela – Curro Thatchfield
• Keabetswe Phasa – Curro Heuwelkruin
• Nkateko Mpenyani – Curro Thatchfield
• Sphumelele Skosana – Curro Nelspruit
• Mieke Joubert – Curro Kathu
• Isabella Fish – Curro Hillcrest
• Chelsea Nyamuranga – Curro Hillcrest
• Onolo Seetile – Curro Kathu
• Mvelo Masombuka – Curro Thatchfield
• Kyra Booysen – Curro Hillcrest

For Rotondwa and Nkateko, the selections added another layer to weekends in which they had already been named players of the tournament.

The work around the courts

The first edition also depended on staff working across the event.

Cindy thanked Alva Maree, Curro Sport’s netball champion, who led the project, as well as the Curro Hazeldean staff who worked throughout the weekend.

She also recognised Manus Hendriks and his team for managing results and live scoring on the courts, with René le Grange from Curro Thatchfield volunteering to run the technical table.

The first Inter-Curro Netball Tournament therefore closed with winners in two age groups, individual awards and a group of 20 players already looking towards their next Curro representative opportunity in 2027.