Residents of George in the Western Cape have welcomed the Netball World Cup Trophy. The trophy is being showcased throughout the province this week and will be officially handed over to the City of Cape Town on Friday.
The trophy tour is now on its last leg through the Western Cape after criss-crossing the whole of South Africa since the 25th of May. George residents say they feel honoured to have seen the trophy with their own eyes.
“We’re very excited that the trophy arrived and is officially in the Western Cape where the Netball World Cup will be hosted. It was such an honour to see it in real life as the trophy is actually here. I just want to say I’m happy that the World Cup is here in George and in Imizamo Yethu High School. I’m proud for the Minister that came to us and we’re so lucky to have a Minister around us,” a resident said.
A local netball legend, Lavinia Dereuck who has been involved in playing and coaching the sport for the past 46 years, says she is grateful to experience the first ever Netball World Cup in South Africa.
“We’re so thankful for South Africa and we’re so proud of the girls and hope everything will go well for all the other countries because for some of them maybe it’s the first time they visit SA. We must be very proud of our country to have the cup here,” says Dereuck.
For those not able to attend the tournament, fan parks will offer viewing screens and entertainment. George Mayor Leon van Wyk says the fan park in George will be at the Rosemore stadium and will be able to accommodate up to 2 000 spectators.
“It gives us the opportunity to feel we are part of the whole event and we can enjoy it. It just builds that whole atmosphere coming up to the World Cup.
And therefore for all of our ladies who participate in the sport, it is something great to be able to see that taking place herein SA and here in George, that we are part of that, we also have a fan park in George,” says van Wyk.
The 2023 Netball World Cup is being held from 28 July to 6 August at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
