Image: The JJ van der Merwe O/12A netball team and coaches celebrate after being crowned Mpumalanga champions.
JJ van der Merwe Primary School's netball teams delivered a series of strong performances at the recent Mpumalanga Championships, with the school's O/12A team crowned provincial champions after an unbeaten run through the tournament.
The O/12A side opened with victories over Middelburg and Lydenburg before defeating Secunda 14-6 in the quarter-finals and Standerton 11-7 in the semi-finals. They completed a dominant campaign with a 10-2 win over Goedehoop in the final to secure the Mpumalanga title.
The JJ van der Merwe O/11A netball team and coache after finishing as runners-up in the Challenger Cup.
There was further success for JJ's younger players in the Challenger Cup, where the O/11A team finished as runners-up. The team recorded victories over Secunda, Middelburg, CR Swart and Witrivier, with their only defeat coming against Nelspruit.
JJ's B-teams also made their mark at the provincial event. The O/13B team advanced to the final and finished as Mpumalanga runners-up after an impressive tournament campaign, while the O/12B team secured fourth place overall. In the A-team division, the O/13A side battled through a competitive field to finish sixth in the province.
The JJ van der Merwe O/13B netball team celebrate after being crowned Mpumalanga B-Team runners-up.
The results capped off a successful tournament for JJ van der Merwe, with multiple teams finishing among the top schools in Mpumalanga and bringing home provincial honours for the school.
Final Placings
- O/12A: 1st Place – Mpumalanga Champions
- O/11A: 2nd Place – Challenger Cup
- O/13B: 2nd Place – Mpumalanga B-Team Runners-up
- O/12B: 4th Place
- O/13A: 6th Place