Great news for young netball stars across South Africa! PEP is expanding the much-loved PEP mini-Netball programme to all nine provinces in partnership with South African Schools Netball (SASN). Now, in its third consecutive year, even more u7, u8 and u9 girls can experience the joy of netball, building confidence, skills, and community spirit.
From humble beginnings in 2023, when the programme kicked off in Gauteng, Free State, and the Western Cape, to spreading its wings in Limpopo, North-West, and the Northern Cape in 2024 – this initiative has been changing lives one match at a time. And now, in 2025, we’re going all in! The programme is landing in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Eastern Cape, making sure every aspiring netballer gets a chance to shine.
Aspiring young players, and now also coaches, nationwide have the opportunity to participate, develop their skills, and contribute to the growth of youth netball in South Africa.
Beyers van der Merwe, Chief Marketing Officer at PEP, shared his excitement about how the programme has grown and continues to grow; “This is a truly proud moment for PEP mini-Netball because by reaching all nine provinces, more young girls can discover their love for the sport. By encouraging untapped talent in the community, we can help the future generation of players and coaches with the confidence they need to chase their dreams.
He added, “This year we will host 40 festivals and 9 coaching sessions across the nine provinces as part of our commitment to the development of youth netball in South Africa. With the coaching sessions and festivals, it’s not just about enhancing skills; but building a strong sense of community.”
The PEP mini-Netball coaching sessions will once again be led by some of South Africa’s finest netball minds:
Dumisani Chauke – PEP mini–Netball Ambassador & former Spar Proteas Assistant Coach
Dr. Elsje Jordaan – Sports Scientist from Sportisimo & Golden Fireballs Coach
Minnette Dempsey – Motivational Speaker & Team Culture Coach from Sportisimo
Their expertise and passion have consistently inspired attendees, equipping them with the knowledge and motivation to nurture the next generation of netball talent in their communities.
Di Woolley, President of South African Schools Netball (SASN), praised PEP’s ongoing support for the PEP mini-Netball programme: “The PEP mini-Netball festivals and coaching sessions continue to become a powerful tool for youth development, allowing young girls from all backgrounds to gain basic skills in netball at grassroots level. We are excited to see the programme expand to all nine provinces, creating even more opportunities for girls to grow, excel, and be inspired by the sport of netball.”