WHS rules the roost at Capricorn netball
School sports
Windhoek Gymnasium put up a fight to defend their U19 title, but eventually fell to rivals WHS.
The Capricorn Group Schools Netball League concluded with a surprising final in the U19 division, with the notable absence of the Windhoek Gymnasium Black Diamonds. The Black Diamonds settled for the bronze medals in this year’s league, leaving Windhoek High School to battle it out for gold against A. Shipena Secondary School.
As the dust settled in a close final, Windhoek High School managed to dent A. Shipena’s armour and take a 29-27 win.
“What a beautiful game to end off a brilliant netball league. To the Capricorn Group, you have partnered with the right sport ... We will make sure that in the very near future Namibia will be represented by these girls on the international platforms,” remarked Joan Smit, the secretary-general of the Namibia National Olympic Committee and manager for Africa regional development for the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA).
Smit was impressed by the quality delivered at the Capricorn Group Schools Netball League.
“When you look at the match between Windhoek High School and A. Shipena – that was exciting and thrilling netball,” she said.
“It was very challenging, but we made it .. we didn’t expect it,” said WHS’s U19 first team team captain Micayla Shirley shortly after her team’s stellar victory in the finals.
“We just said we would work as a team and no screaming at each other. We just take 30 seconds to relax and move on,” she shared after WHS’ dramatic 30-25 semi-final elimination of Windhoek Gymnasium, before taking to the court for the finals.
Gymnasium nevertheless triumphed in three age divisions, taking gold in the U14, U15 and U17 leagues.
Windhoek High School also placed second in the U15 and third in the U14 divisions of the league.
Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool put up a valiant fight throughout the year to emerge in the top three of four divisions. WAP took the U12 bronze, silver in the U13 division, bronze with its U15 team and silver in the U17 league.