SA Women Hockey and FASTS5 Netball teams fly the SA flag high
SA Women Hockey and FASTS5 Netball teams fly the SA flag high
The Fast5 Netball World Series is an annual international Fast5 netball competition that took place from the 11th-12th November 2023 at the Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch, New Zealand. The world’s six-most experienced FAST5 women’s teams, in New Zealand, Australia, England, Jamaica, South Africa and Malawi competed at the event.
The series comprised of six teams and 18 games over two days, in a tournament full of camaraderie, intense competition and fun.
Australia won the FAST5 Netball World Series title for the second year in a row after delivering a clinical 35-23 win over New Zealand.
In an intense contest throughout, England won the battle for the bronze medal when posting a tight 30-22 win over South Africa. Showing their improvement over the two days, the Proteas made a contest of it the whole way with the outcome remaining in the balance until the last couple of minutes.
Making a great start on the opening day, Jamaica could not repeat those efforts on day two, eventually finishing fifth when prevailing 36-31 in a battling win over a gallant Malawi in their final play-off match.
On the Hockey front, a dominant SA Women’s hockey team beat Nigeria 9-0 in the final of the Hockey Olympic Qualifiers to book a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Early in the tournament teams had to endure cold and uncomfortable weather, but a perfect summer’s day in Pretoria welcomed the two teams out for the final. The South Africans made it 3-0 early in the second quarter when Jean-Leigh du Toit netted almost a trademark drag flick from a penalty corner as the Nigerian women appeared helpless to deny South Africa.
Things got even better for the South Africans as they stormed into the half-time break with another two goals and a place at Paris all but confirmed. That confirmation received further backing in the third quarter with a hat-trick completing deflection from Tarryn Lombard before Paris-Gail Isaacs scored her first international goal for the country getting on the rebound of her own shot to make it 8-0.
Kristen Paton added the final cherry on top of a brilliant cake as the South Africans wrapped up the victory 9-0, completing the tournament without conceding a goal.
Player of the match in the final Tarryn Lombard was delighted with the outcome:
“We are incredibly pleased to qualify for the Olympic Games, the hard work starts here and I can’t wait to get started.”
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