“We don’t believe transformation is happening quickly enough and more needs to be done,” this is according to the longest-standing Netball Proteas sponsors, the Spar Group.
This comes weeks after coach Norma Plummer and her charges failed to qualify for the semifinals of the 2023 Netball World Cup that took centre stage on African soil for the first time at the Cape Town International Convention Centre recently.
South Africa finished in position six behind number eight-ranked Uganda, which led to growing calls for more transformation in the team.
Needless to say, the Spar Proteas overwhelmingly underperformed and did not use their home-ground advantage. Australia walked away with the ultimate prize after beating England in the final.
Responding to questions sent to the Spar Group by Sunday World, the national sponsorship and events manager Charlene Subbarayan admitted more needs to be done to unearth talent at grassroots level, which will in the long run address the issue of transformation in the national team.
“For us, watching daily the challenges that people in our communities across the country face, we don’t believe transformation is happening quickly enough,” Subbarayan said.
“More needs to be done to uplift talent at a grassroots level and assist families of gifted athletes who are battling with financial constraints.
“We want to ensure children and community members have safe places to play the sports they love – spaces to live out their dreams, to network and have fun. Our hope is that our investment in sporting education will inspire others to do the same, for the betterment and sustainability of all our communities.”
Despite the disappointing finish to the World Cup on home soil, Subbarayan committed that Spar would continue to stand at the forefront of empowering young girls and women in netball, creating opportunities for them to shine and achieve their dreams.
The Spar Proteas will be going Down Under for a three- match test series against newly crowned world champions Australia in October.
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