Capricorn Schools Netball League suspended amid fairness concerns

Capricorn Group has announced that the Capricorn Schools Netball League will not run next season, citing concerns over competitive fairness and inclusivity.

Launched to provide a high-level competitive platform for Namibia’s top schools, the league has over time created unintended disparities. Capricorn Group said the current structure favours schools that can afford travel and other costs, often excluding more competitive teams that face financial constraints.

“Capricorn Group believes that the spirit of competition should not be limited by economics,” said Marlize Horn, group chief brand and corporate affairs officer.

“It is imperative to reassess our approach to ensure that every school has an equal opportunity to participate in national competitions. After careful consideration, we have therefore decided to suspend the Capricorn Schools Netball League," she explained.

Accessibility in the spotlight

As part of a transition toward a more inclusive model, the Namibia School Sport Union (NSSU) hosted a two-day workshop in January, sponsored by Capricorn in collaboration with the NSSU.

The workshop brought together regional representatives and was facilitated by national netball coach and master facilitator Julene Meyer, with the aim of developing a more accessible and equitable framework for school netball competitions. Representatives from Netball Namibia also attended.

Capricorn Group has sponsored the national schools netball league since 2019 and says it remains committed to the development of women’s sport in Namibia.

“As a group, we are very proud of our contribution to the promotion and development of women’s sport, particularly netball, over many years,” Horn said. “The league provided an important platform for netball players from senior primary to secondary school level to compete for a national title, and it has made a positive impact on school netball.”

She added that Capricorn Group values the support shown by the netball community and is open to exploring alternative ways to strengthen and broaden competitive opportunities for schools across the country.

The group said further engagement with stakeholders would continue as efforts are made to reshape the national school netball landscape in a way that prioritises accessibility, fairness and long-term development.