TuksNetball boasts the inclusion of two players in the u21 squad for the Netball World Youth Cup. Jasmine Ziegelmeier who is a final year financial accounting student is in the travelling 12 whereas Chantelle Swart a second-year education student has been chosen as a non-travelling reserve. It is a huge honour to be selected to wear the Green and Gold. The Netball World Youth Cup will be in Gabarone, Botswana from 8 – 15 July 2017. 

Both Chantelle and Jasmine were in the team that won the African Qualifiers in December last year, for this tournament. Although she will not be travelling, Swart is still exceptionally proud of her performance. “I am so privileged to be announced as one of the 3 non travelling reserves for the SA u21 World Youth Cup team. It isn’t what I hoped for but is still such a big achievement for me as a player. I am still young, so for me this is just the beginning. I really got a lot of game time this year and have had the opportunity to play with very experienced players in the Jaguars team. I am really thankful for this because I think it has improved my style of play a lot. The opportunity and experience is something I will always cherish and be thankful for. There may still be an injury in the team which would mean that I get a call-up but if that doesn’t happen it just means that it wasn’t part of God’s plan. I wish the team all the best, especially my friends that have been selected in the travelling 12. I hope they make our country proud.” 

Ziegelmeier, is ecstatic and thankful for the opportunity. “Being selected for the SA u21 Netball team that will be representing South Africa at the Netball World Youth Cup in Botswana during July 2017 is a dream come true. I can still remember that coach Jenny van Dyk indicated to me that I will be in the correct age group to qualify for this world cup, when we discussed my choice of university way back in the beginning of my matric year. I need to acknowledge and thank Coach Jenny and my fellow teammates for developing and motivating me to be the best that I can be. I thank the Lord for providing me with the talents and protecting me from serious injuries. I am proud to be a Tukkie Netball girl and thankful for the opportunities that it has presented to me!”

South Africa was drawn in pool B along with Australia, Barbados, Singapore and our neighbours Zimbabwe. It will be a gruelling and exciting 9 days of netball.