August 07, 2007, 18:30
Netball, the country's second most popular sport, has been boosted by a renewed sponsorship, but the quota system continues to produce controversy at the annual Spar national championships.
The national selectors will pick the team for the world championships in November, from over 650 players. Netball's unique quota system, where the black-white ratio has to remain at 5:2 at all times, has often been criticised, but officials are convinced it is the best way to take the sport forward.
President of Netball South Africa, Mimi Mthethwa, says: "It is one strategy that we use to make sure that all players are given a chance to participate and perhaps end up representing the country in the national team."
The R10 million-sponsorship will cover major events, administration, and also pay for specialist sports scientists, a life-line for many players.
The recalled national captain, Bronwyn Bock-Jonathan, is confident they will not disgrace themselves in New Zealand. "We have a very good chance against Malaysia, Barbados… It will be a hard game, but we should be very successful. And England will probably be the most difficult game," Bock-Jonathan said.
The team is also preparing a bid to host the 2015 world championships.
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