Latest news with #NetballSA
CBC
6 days ago
- General
- CBC
2025 Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge - Canada vs New Zealand
Canada and New Zealand square off during the third day of the 2025 Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge from Netball SA Stadium in Adelaide, South Australia.
eNCA
02-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Netball SA's reputation takes a knock
CAPE TOWN - Netball South Africa is breaking its silence. From the shock suspension of President Cecilia Molokwane, a tense grilling by MPs in Parliament, to the fallout still lingering from the 2023 Netball World Cup. There is no doubt that the federation is under pressure. When reputation takes a knock, so does financial support from sponsors. The development of the sport could be at risk. So far there's still no clear timeline how long the President's suspension will last. For now, Netball SA is going through hoops, to ensure this painful chapter closes sooner rather than later.
The Citizen
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
OPINION: Sport federations must learn to stand up against parliament
Some of the questions directed at the Netball SA leadership this week were valid, but others were ridiculous. If parliament is a circus, its portfolio committee on sport, arts and culture is a modern day Colosseum. One difference, however, between battles held in ancient Rome and those being held in Cape Town is that the people who were forced to fight in the Colosseum made an effort to hit back. Watching Netball South Africa being grilled by the parliamentary committee this week was like watching school kids being scolded by teachers. Some of the issues raised by the portfolio committee were valid, most notably the delays in releasing audited financial statements (which government deservedly wanted to see after providing R90 million in funding for the 2023 Netball World Cup) and the recent suspension of Netball SA president Cecilia Molokwane by World Netball. However, some of the questions asked were completely ridiculous, and the NSA leadership seemed terrified to stand up for themselves, which they had every right to do. Proteas coach They were dragged over the coals for appointing Jenny van Dyk as the Proteas head coach last year ahead of black coaches who applied for the post. Anyone who understands netball in this country will be aware that Van Dyk was the best person for the job, having proved herself across multiple levels of the sport for the last decade. When they were interrupted in their responses, the NSA leadership shut down and looked ready to accept the criticism, rather than hitting back at the politicians on the other side of the room who clearly know next to nothing about the sport. When answering questions about financial statements, NSA should have been able to provide more details about expenditure, but even when they did, they got shot down, and they buckled too quickly. It is of course important that the people running sports federations are able to account for expenditure, but aside from the World Cup, netball relies far more on corporate sponsors for its funding than it does on the government. Showboating and grandstanding It is good that the committee exposed some problems with NSA's corporate governance, but let's be honest, politicians of all people have very little right to be criticising others for wasteful expenditure. An independent panel of individuals who understand both administration and operations in sport would be far better suited to do the grilling. The arrogance and showboating of some of the members of the portfolio committee indicates that they're more interested in grandstanding for the public watching the live stream than they are in actually getting to the bottom of real issues. And that's fine. It's parliament. What else can we expect? But when sports federations appear in front of members of parliament and they're asked ridiculous questions that don't even make sense, it would at least be more entertaining if they fought back. Even in ancient Rome, prisoners forced into battle made an attempt to defend themselves. Sports administrators need to do the same.
The South African
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Netball SA under fire: Parliament demands full financial report
Netball SA are under fire, as Parliament demands a full 2023 World Cup financial report. Tensions hit boiling point in Parliament this week as Netball South Africa (NSA) faced the heat over unanswered questions about the 2023 Netball World Cup. MPs want answers, and they want them fast. On Tuesday, Parliament dragged Acting NSA President Mami Diale and 2023 Netball World Cup Board Chairperson Patience Shikwambana into the spotlight, grilling them over missing financial details and unclear transactions linked to last year's global tournament held in South Africa. Despite the big stage and high expectations, NSA and the World Cup board came up short. They couldn't produce the detailed report Parliament demanded, leaving MPs unimpressed. Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Joseph Job McGluwa, pulled no punches. 'You (NSA) will receive a wish list from us, containing all the information we want. And you have 14 days to submit the information. ,' said McGluwa, as quoted by SABC Sport. 'You have no reason to hide anything. Know that this is Parliament, and this is how we interrogate and deal with people who don't respect the public purse.' That 14-day countdown started the day after the suspension of NSA President Cecilia Molokwane, making the deadline 1 May 2025. Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Peace Mabe also weighed in, calling for protection of whistle blowers but with a warning to ensure the facts are solid. 'Whistle blowers need to be protected, faceless or not,' Mabe said. 'But if there are allegations, they should be brought forward. Those who are guilty must have respect for the country and for the sport. And step aside while they are being investigated.' With millions poured into the 2023 World Cup, the public wants transparency. And now, with NSA leadership under fire and sponsors on edge, the pressure is sky-high. This isn't just about netball—it's about trust, governance, and accountability. South Africans deserve answers. The clock is ticking. Stay tuned with The South African as Netball SA are under fire, with Parliament demanding a full financial report. Will the NSA meet the deadline and what will it reveal? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
