The Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 Trophy Tour continues around South Africa ahead of the big event in Cape Town from 28th July. Here are some images taken from Friday as the trophy bus was spotted in Mpumalanga, with the official mascot Letsatsi and Netball SA president Cecilia Molokwane and many dignitaries, schoolchildren and members of the public. Friday also co-incided with the celebrations for 50 Days To Go to the big event.
The Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 trophy is currently parading around South Africa. On Tuesday it will be in Midvaal at the Sicelo Stadium and the Saul Tsotsetsi Sports Complex.
Here are images, supplied by ThuliGraphyImages of its journey around KwaZulu-Natal.
The 2023 Vitality Netball World Cup trophy made its way through Endumeni on Sunday as part of its countrywide tour ahead of the big tournament in Cape Town.
Speaking on the excitement of the trophy tour, Africa Netball and Netball SA president Cecilia Molokwane said: “Let it be an African spectacle, showcasing our culture and our uniqueness as South Africa because we are a rainbow nation and to me showing that Africa can do it and women can do it is the most important thing.”
The dates for the Trophy Tour are:
15-29 May: KwaZulu-Natal
30 May – 3 June: Gauteng
4-8 June: Mpumalanga
9-13 June: Limpopo
14-18 June: Free State
19-23 June: North West
24-28 June: Northern Cape
29 June – 3 July: Eastern Cape
4-12 July: Western Cape
The official handover of the Netball World Cup trophy, from World Netball to Netball South Africa, hosts of the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023, took place at South Africa House, London.
The High Commissioner, J.N Mamabolo, welcomed the World Netball President, Liz Nicholl CBE, CEO Clare Briegal, and Board Director Lyn Carpenter, as well as Netball South Africa’s President Cecilia Molokwane and CEO Blanche de la Guerre, and all other dignitaries present to the proceedings.
Following the handover, the trophy will now fly to South Africa landing in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal on Africa Day, 25th May, ready to start a six-week long tour of the country, visiting all nine provinces.
Starting proceedings, The High Commissioner, Mamabolo, said: “It is our wish that South Africa’s hosting of the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 will contribute to the growth of the sport, both at home and globally.
“It is also heartening to know that the trophy will make its way across the length and breadth of our country and in so doing, bring the sport of netball to all South Africans through fan parks and legacy projects. Nicholl then went on to address the dignitaries present saying: “We are thrilled to be here today at South Africa House for the official handover of the Netball World Cup trophy and the official start of the ‘Trophy Tour’.
“The Road to Cape Town began back in March 2019 when Netball South Africa was awarded the rights to host the event, so although the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 does not start until the 28th July, the preparations and activations are very much under way in South Africa, and we are really enjoying seeing the whole nation get behind them.
“I am sure this support will grow significantly as the Netball World Cup trophy heads to South Africa to start a 6-week tour.”
The Vitality Netball World Cup 2023, taking place in Cape Town South Africa from the 28th July to the 6th August at the Cape Town international Convention Centre, will be the first ever to take place on the continent of Africa.
Speaking on the importance of this Molokwane then added: “We said we wanted the trophy to land on the 25th May which is Africa Day, because this is not a ‘South African’ tournament, it might be hosted in South Africa, but it is an African tournament.”
“The Netball World Cup started in 1963, and South Africa was one of the countries participating, but only now does the Netball World Cup go to South Africa after 60 years, it is history in the making for us to say that after 60 years we can bring it to Africa.
Make sure you are following the Netball World Cup, on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to keep up to date with all the latest news from the trophy tour.
