Friday night was an exciting and emotional moment for both KwaZulu-Natal team's Kingdom Stars and Kingdom Queens as they were awarded provincial colors by KwaZulu-Natal Sport Confederation. Other recipients for the evening were the KZN NETBALL provincial executives committee members and technical team for both teams who also received appreciation certificates.
The colors awarding ceremony kick started a weekend which also includes a 3day camp which is part of the Kingdom Stars and Kingdom Queens final preparation ahead of the TELKOM NETBALL LEAGUE 2024 edition which takes place in Johannesburg, Ellis Park Arena from the 26th of April till 19th June 2024. Amongst the stakeholders who attended this function was the KZN Sport Confederation, KwaZulu-Natal Sport Academy, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, And Ethekwini Municipality.
KZN NETBALL President Ngema said "I'm very happy to get such support from our province and all stakeholders after a very challenging times, I wish our team's best of luck in the TNL, go out there and play for the people of KZN not for yourself. We are really thankful to KZN Sport Confederation for awarding our players with the provincial colors, they should've said no, but President Mchunu willingly did with a pure heart"
An excited, Kingdom Stars coach Mthembu said "I'll take the experience from the National Team and apply it in the TNL, there's a lot I've learnt during world cup qualifiers recently and I hope it'll definitely help our team. We are ready for TNL and hoping for the positive results."
Kingdom Queens coach Magda said "The challenges won't keep us down but instead they make us strong as a team, I believe our team's has what it takes to compete in the TNL, it's up to us how we prepare ourselves. TNL is a very competitive competition and every year there's a new team which makes it even more difficult, but that's not an excuse for us to not achieve our goal of winning. You know when we wins they praise the team, but when we lose it's coaches getting the bullets."
Kingdom Stars Captain Nozipho Ntshangase said "We are happy to be selected again to play for Stars, I'll make sure to motivate my teammates all the time. Everyone's excited for the fixture and for the fact that we will be opening the TNL games, and playing a new team in the league called Tshukudu. We promise to do well, there will be a lot of improvement and changes this year."
Kingdom Queens Captain Nokwanda Zulu "We are also excited to play in the TNL as Queens players like the Stars are, and representing our province and playing for the badge. We are happy to see new talent and we promise to protect our new players and guide them throughout the tournament. Our goal is to atleast finish in a good place like top3."
The KZN NETBALL President Ngema reminded the players that whatever they'll be doing out there isn't just about themselves but the province badge and raising our flag very high. The Kingdom Stars will be opening the games on the 26th of April against Tshukudu, at 08:00am, while Kingdom Queens will play Sunbirds at 10:00am the very same day. Both team's will be playing in division 2, and at some point they'll play each other in the competition.
Interviews with members & players:
Kingdom Queens Captain- Nokwanda Zulu:
Kingdom Queens Coach - Magda Du Plessis
Kingdom Stars Captain- Nozipho Ntshangase Gorgeous
KZN NETBALL PRESIDENT: GUGU NGEMA
Precious Mthembu - Kingdom Stars Coach
