Netball has no idea

In August last year, there was chaos in Netball South Africa. The coach left and two members of the executive left as well.

Yesterday I spoke with Nini Mthetwa, the president of Netball South Africa. The issue was the scrapping of the quota system in Netball in South Africa. I started the interview in a positive mood as I thought that, at last, the great country that we live in was being sorted out. No longer would players of colour be degraged to a "quota" player. THey would know that if they are in the national side then they would be the best player in that position in the country. Celebrations were in order.

My first question was if Netball South Africa were confident that thier development was done. The first answer I got was suprising. Instead of celebrating that there was no need for putting poor players in because of thier skin colour, the president of Netball South Africa said that the quota system had NOT been scrapped. Huh? But the press release.....

No, she said, that is only in certain places, and she went on to explain. I will try and tell you what I understood from what she said, but the three people I work with in the Afternoon Sport Show on SAfm had no idea, so what follows is the best I can do....

Netaball South Africa have a South African championships. At these champs, the best players from around the country compete to be national champions. Up to now, Netball SA has demanded that a quota system be implimented in choosing these teams. So, for example, Gauteng North had select thier squads to ensure that there was correct representaion of colour. This, in netball, is a ratio of 5:7. Five white players and seven black player OR seven white players and five black players. Either is fine as long as the rartio is correct.

That has been scrapped. The regions and teams are to now send thier best players, irrespective of colour, to the national championships. You with me so far?

From these ladies, the national squad will be selected, a group of 30 or so girls to represent the country in competition. World Champs, tests, friendlies, etc. Again, there will be no quota system here. The best girls will be selected for the squad.

But here comes the confusion.

According to Nini Mthethwa, that is where the dropping of the quota system ends. When it comes to choosing the final team, the team that takes to the court, the 5:7 ratio will again be applied. Five white and seven black OR five black and seven white......

Is it just me or are you as confused?

Why would Netball South Africa do something like this? Nini says its because the Governement says they have to.

Surely there is a point when a sport must tell the government to get stuffed? Cricket did it, there was a little bit of an uproar but it seems as if they have gotten away with it. I thnk it's high time netball did the same thing.