Afrocat Sports Club is set to bring a fresh twist to the world of netball with a thrilling Beach Netball Tournament on 15 February at A. Shipena Secondary School in Katutura. 

This unique event aims to blend the competitive spirit of netball with the laid-back atmosphere of beach-themed fun, offering participants a one-of-a-kind sporting experience. 

The tournament will feature mixed teams of five players, with three players on the court at a time. Teams will compete for cash prizes, with N$1 000 for the champions and N$600 for the runners-up. 

The entry fee is N$300 per team, making it an affordable and exciting opportunity for athletes of all levels. 

Afrocat Sports Club’s Dimitri Bitler shared that this tournament is a pilot project designed to gauge interest in beach netball. If successful, the event could evolve into a major annual fixture, attracting sponsors and becoming a key highlight on the Namibian sports calendar. 

“We believe this initiative will not only boost the sport of netball, but also foster community engagement and recreational enjoyment,” he stated. He added that the main difference in beach netball is that it is played on soft, uneven sand without shoes, and not a hard-court surface. 

He further said countries such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are excelling in beach netball. 

“As one of the world’s top netball nations, Australia has embraced beach netball with enthusiasm. The country hosts beach netball tournaments and has a strong beach sports culture, making it a natural fit for the sport. 

“New Zealand has a rich netball tradition, and has begun to explore beach netball. The country’s athletes are skilled in both traditional netball and beach sports, which bodes well for the development of beach netball. England has shown interest in beach netball, hosting competitions, and working to expand the sport. The country has a robust netball scene, and beach netball is seen as an innovative way to engage the public. 

“On the other hand, South Africa is becoming a leader in developing and promoting beach netball. The country’s netball teams have been successful internationally, and they are now embracing beach netball as a way to diversify the sport and attract new participants,” added Bitler. -lmupetami@nepc.com.na