Cape Town to Host Exciting SPAR National Netball Championship This Women’s Month
Cape Town – The anticipation is building for yet another exhilarating edition of the SPAR National Netball Championships as South Africa’s premier annual inter-district netball tournament heads to Stellenberg High School, Cape Town, from 6-11 August 2026.
Defending titleholders Johannesburg are on the hunt for a fifth consecutive national championship after narrowly defeating Cape Town 52-51 in a thrilling final last year in Boksburg.
That victory was particularly remarkable as Johannesburg had initially lost to Cape Town during the round-robin phase before battling back to seize the trophy.
Johannesburg will also defend its Under-21 title, promising an exciting week filled with competition as the nation’s top emerging and established talents vie for national accolades.
A total of 122 teams will participate, encompassing 58 senior district teams and 64 under-21 squads, over six days, with around 1,900 players and 100 umpires converging in Cape Town.
Matches are set to take place across two venues featuring two indoor courts with specialized flooring, eight outdoor courts—three equipped with floodlights—and additional facilities at Gene Louw Primary School.
The championships will culminate on Tuesday, 11 August, with the under-21 final followed by the senior final.
Coinciding with Women’s Month, the tournament will also acknowledge Women’s Day on 9 August, highlighting the ongoing growth and achievements of women’s sports in South Africa.
The SPAR National Netball Championships remain a crucial platform for talent identification under Netball South Africa, where numerous current and former SPAR Proteas first exhibited their skills at this annual event.
Netball South Africa President Mami Diale shared her enthusiasm looking ahead to the tournament.
“For many years, the SPAR National Netball Championships have served as an invaluable opportunity for university clubs and coaches to discover the untapped talent our country has to offer,” Diale remarked.
“The tournament’s growth reflects the talent and passion of countless young girls eager to participate in the sport.”
Diale also acknowledged the support from tournament sponsors, SPAR.
“SPAR is a strategic ally of Netball South Africa, playing a vital role in its development,” she stated.
“Their unwavering support is crucial for achieving our vision and establishing elite, professional tournaments.”
Netball South Africa has also teamed up with SPAR for their End Period Poverty initiative.
The goal is to ensure that no girl has to miss school, practice, or matches due to the lack of sanitary products.
This initiative will impact all girls participating in netball in South Africa who are experiencing menstruation, as a confident player is a safer one.
Mpudi Maubane, SPAR Group PR, Communications, and Sponsorship Manager, commented: “For decades, SPAR has proudly supported women and continues to celebrate their invaluable contributions not just in sports, but in initiatives that uplift communities and create meaningful opportunities.
“We believe that when women succeed, families thrive, communities become stronger, and our nation advances.
“In line with this commitment, we raise awareness about pressing issues affecting many women and girls: Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and period poverty. Throughout the championships, we will reinforce our stance that GBV and period poverty have no place in our society.
“These Championships also embody the vision of Netball South Africa President Mami Diale—‘Netball for One, Netball for All’.
“It is a vision that SPAR wholeheartedly supports as we journey towards the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia.”
Hanlie van der Merwe, Chairperson of Cape Town Netball and the Local Organising Committee, remarked, “We are honored to host this year’s SPAR National Netball Championships.
“This prestigious event has seen many of our SPAR Proteas emerge over the years.
“We hope that hosting this championship in Cape Town will inspire numerous junior players in the area to strive for success and potentially participate in future championships.
“For young girls in the vicinity, witnessing these players in action significantly promotes the development of netball in the Western Cape.
“We are immensely proud of Stellenberg High School for providing some of the finest netball facilities in the country for these championships, and I extend my gratitude to my team for their relentless efforts in making this event a success.”
Selected matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport, with further broadcast details to be announced as the tournament approaches.
Teams:
Senior A section: Johannesburg A, Mangaung, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Cape Town A, Tshwane A, Nelson Mandela Bay A, Alfred Nzo, Botswana
Under 21 A Section: Johannesburg A, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Tshwane, Cape Town, Ekurhuleni, Royal Bafokeng