North-West University (NWU) students played a role in the outstanding performance of Sedibeng Netball at the 2025 SPAR National Netball Championships, where the district team finished unbeaten and claimed the B3 section title.

The Netball South Africa-sanctioned tournament was hosted by the Ekurhuleni District at Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen in Boksburg and featured district teams from across the country.

Four NWU students were selected to represent Sedibeng at the national championships, with Sune Booysen, Chirise Blom, Mecelia Brits and Maleqhoa Sekhoto earning their places in the squad through consistent performances at university and district level. Their inclusion highlighted the growing influence of the netball programme at the NWU within provincial and national structures.

The impact of the university extended beyond the playing court, as NWU head netball coach Monique Meyer was appointed head coach of the Sedibeng team for the tournament. Her leadership and tactical insight proved pivotal as Sedibeng navigated a demanding schedule, maintaining composure and consistency throughout the competition. The team progressed confidently through the group stages, securing victories against Gert Sibande, West Rand B, Amajuba, Ilembe and West Coast.

Sedibeng’s momentum carried them into the knockout rounds, where the intensity of the competition increased significantly. In the semi-final against Bojanala B, the team delivered a disciplined performance to book a place in the final. The championship match against Frances Baard saw Sedibeng produce one of their most complete performances of the tournament, combining defensive pressure with sharp attacking execution to secure the B3 section title and preserve their unbeaten record.

Commenting on the achievement, Shaun Meijer, Vanderbijlpark Campus sports manager, praised the collective effort of both players and management, noting the importance of strong leadership and unity within the team.

“This achievement is a true reflection of the commitment, discipline and teamwork shown by the players throughout the tournament. Having NWU students represent Sedibeng at national level and remain unbeaten is something we are extremely proud of. The leadership of coach Monique Meyer played a key role in this success,” said Shaun.

Campus Chief Director Andiswa Msi said the triumph demonstrated the university’s broader commitment to holistic student development. “We are immensely proud of our students and staff who continue to fly the NWU flag with excellence. This achievement shows that when academic institutions invest in sport, they shape not only athletes but confident leaders and ambassadors of the university. The success of Sedibeng, with such strong NWU representation, affirms that our programmes are contributing meaningfully to national sport development.”

Beyond the results, the championships provided a valuable platform for player development and national exposure, reinforcing the link between university sport and district structures. For the NWU, the success of its students and coaching staff at the tournament further strengthened the reputation of the institution for producing high-performance athletes who excel beyond campus competition.

From left are NWU head netball coach Monique Meyer, with NWU players Sune Booysen, Chirise Blom, Mecelia Brits and Maleqhoa Sekhoto following Sedibeng’s unbeaten B3 title victory at the 2025 SPAR National Netball Championships in Boksburg.