Netball Namibia — national federation governing netball in Namibia, overseeing premier league competition, youth selection, and grassroots tournaments.
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June 2026
The Namibian
Netball Namibia president Juanita Witbeendescribedoverall standard of league as highly encouraging
Source
“Netball Namibia president Juanita Witbeen has described the overall standard of the league as highly encouraging, citing improvements in the quality of play, tactical awareness, fitness levels and competitiveness across the competition.”
Netball Namibiaprovideda detailed account of the selection process during the engagement
Source
“According to a media statement issued by the ministry, NN provided a detailed account of the selection process during the engagement, outlining the procedures and criteria used to identify players during the Newspaper Cup tournament.”
Netball Namibiahas defendedits selection process for the preliminary under-19 national squad
Source
“Netball Namibia has defended its selection process for the preliminary under-19 national squad, maintaining that the system is fair, structured and focused on long-term player development.”
Coaches, team managers, players, and officials from Netball Namibiaconfirmed to The Namibian Sport thatmost teams included at least three to five debutants
Source
“Coaches, team managers, players, and officials from Netball Namibia have confirmed to The Namibian Sport that most teams included at least three to five debutants, with some players travelling outside their regions for the first time.”
Netball Namibia secretarysaid second day unfolded well despitesome challenges, including injuries to umpires
Source
“Speaking at the tournament at Keetmanshoop on Saturday, Netball Namibia secretary Jessica Gaomuses said the second day unfolded well despite some challenges, including injuries to umpires.”
Netball Namibia president Juanita Witbeensaysthe interruption was handled according to standard procedure
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“Netball Namibia president Juanita Witbeen says the interruption was handled according to standard procedure, with matches paused at the exact point they were stopped.”
Netball Namibiais strengtheningregional structures and aiming for higher international standards
Source
“Despite its status, which indicates a strong focus on professionalising sport, the spotlight of Netball Namibia (NN) is strengthening regional structures and aiming for higher international standards.”
Desert Jewels coach Julene Meyer and Netball Namibia officials praised the inaugural MTC Power Week tournament, held at the MTC Dome in Swakopmund from 23 to 30 May, for its high intensity, player development, and quality of play across all 12 Premier League teams. Netball Namibia president Juanita Witbeen described the overall standard as highly encouraging, noting improvements in competitiveness and a narrowing gap between established powerhouses and emerging teams.
Desert Jewels coach Julene Meyer and Netball Namibia officials praised the inaugural MTC Power Week tournament, held at the MTC Dome in Swakopmund from 23 to 30 May, for its high intensity, player development, and quality of play across all 12 Premier League teams. Netball Namibia president Juanita Witbeen described the overall standard as highly encouraging, noting improvements in competitiveness and a narrowing gap between established powerhouses and emerging teams.
Defending champions Namibia Correctional Service opened a 12-point lead atop the MTC Netball Premier League after an unbeaten run at the eight-day Power Week tournament in Swakopmund, where all 12 premier league teams played multiple back-to-back matches.
The Under-19 netball team selected during the 2026 Newspaper Cup will remain unchanged following a meeting between the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture and Netball Namibia, which resolved concerns about the selection process for the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games. The selected players will now compete alongside regional teams of seven players each, with additional eligible athletes from the Netball Namibia database introduced into the trials.
The MTC Netball Namibia Premier League resumes on 2 May, with defending champions NCS aiming to extend their dominance after winning a third consecutive title in 2025. Three newly promoted clubs—Smart Girls, Mighty Gunners, and Wanderers—enter the league as players begin receiving monthly allowances of N$500 under professionalization efforts.
The Kavango East Netball Association has formally challenged Netball Namibia's preliminary under-19 national squad selection, citing poor regional representation after their team won the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup 2026 championship yet had only one player selected, compared to nine from the Khomas region. The association warns that under-representation of players from outside Windhoek risks damaging confidence in national pathways and affecting participation in future tournaments.
Netball Namibia has defended its selection process for the preliminary under-19 national squad following backlash over the skewed selection of players from Khomas region and minimal inclusion from defending champions Kavango East. The federation says selection decisions are based on how players complement the team as a whole and are overseen by a panel of qualified selectors, though critics question how the runner-up team received nine selections compared to one from the championship winners.
The Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup tournament continues to develop grassroots netball talent, with many teams fielding debutants and under-20 players competing at the national stage for the first time. Young players from various regions report that the competition provides crucial exposure, travel opportunities, and experience that prepares them for higher-level play and national selection.
The second day of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup netball tournament at Keetmanshoop produced thrilling matches with Ohangwena recording emphatic victories and narrowly defeating Erongo 32–27 in a highlight encounter. Kavango West and Kavango East also impressed with strong performances as teams compete for top honours ahead of the knockout stage.
The opening day of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup netball tournament was disrupted by rain on Friday, forcing two matches between Kunene and Ohangwena, and Oshana and Otjozondjupa to be paused mid-quarter and resume on Saturday. Netball Namibia president Juanita Witbeen said matches would resume from the exact point they were stopped, with remaining quarters to be completed the following morning.
Omaheke's netball team manager Estmerelda Bendt says they aim to win the coveted Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, drawing in group B alongside defending champion Kavango East and Khomas. The team, coached by Monica Bohitile and Gregg Makari, finished second last year and has received support from the regional council and municipality for preparation.
The defending champions from Kunene and Kavango East regions will compete to retain their 2025 Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup trophies in football and netball at the tournament being held in Keetmanshoop from 3 to 6 April, bringing together under-20 teams from all 14 regions of Namibia.
Namibian netball legends say the sport has made progress over 36 years but needs more investment in grassroots development, infrastructure, coaching, and funding to sustain growth. They note that while players now receive some payment and professional opportunities, better pathways from schools to the national level and stronger support systems are essential.
The youth development tournament, bringing together under-20 football and netball teams from all 14 regions, is scheduled for 3–6 April in Keetmanshoop with over 1,000 players and delegates expected. Organisers say preparations are nearly complete, with infrastructure improvements including renovated facilities, new soccer fields and netball courts, and accommodation secured across local schools and town venues.
The Namibia Football Association says the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, which reaches all 14 regions and 121 constituencies, is a key grassroots talent identification and player development programme that helps transition young players into national teams. The competition also emphasises referee training, strict medical protocols for player safety, and development-focused coaching over short-term winning.
Netball Namibia has appointed Jessica Gaomuses as secretary general and CEO to strengthen governance and accelerate the sport's growth and professionalisation. She will oversee strategic direction, operations, and financial stewardship while working to expand opportunities for athletes, coaches, and administrators.
Netball Namibia has appointed Jessica Gaomuses as its substantive secretary general and chief executive on a one-year contract. Federation president Juanitha Witbeen said the appointment marks a significant step toward professionalising the sport and strengthening governance.
The Deputy Minister of Education has officially launched the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, a youth football and netball tournament established in 2001 that provides opportunities for young athletes from all 14 regions to showcase their talent. The 2026 tournament will be hosted in the ǁKharas Region from 3 to 6 April in Keetmanshoop.
The Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, a national football and netball tournament that has run since 2001, was launched yesterday and will take place from 3–5 April in Keetmanshoop with all 14 regions participating. Officials including Deputy Minister of Sport Dino Ballotti and Netball Namibia President Juanita Witbeen praised the event for promoting youth sports development and discovering talent for national teams.
Smart Girls from Shinyungwe village in Kavango East qualified for the MTC Netball Premier League after winning the promotion play-off matches on Saturday. The youthful team, most of whose players were members of the Kavango East u20 champion team at last year's Namibia Newspaper Cup, is celebrated as a breakthrough for regional talent development, though their coach highlighted facility shortages and the need for regional investment in youth sports.
The Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, one of Namibia's longest-running sporting events and a leading football development tournament since 2001, will be held at Keetmanshoop from 3–5 April. The tournament has grown to include netball and has also driven infrastructural development in hosting regions.
The 24th edition of the Nedbank/Namibian Newspaper Cup will be hosted in Keetmanshoop from 3 to 6 April, with U/20 football and netball teams from each of Namibia's 14 regions competing. The NFA says local infrastructure will be upgraded to standard and the event will be officially launched in Windhoek on 9 March.
Capricorn Group has ended its Schools Netball League, which ran since 2019, citing concern that the competition's structure unintentionally excluded talented schools unable to afford travel costs. The company is working with the Namibia Schools Sport Union to develop a more equitable national schools netball framework.
Capricorn Group has suspended its Capricorn Schools Netball League, citing concerns that the current structure favours schools able to afford travel costs while excluding talented teams facing financial constraints. The company said the league will be reassessed to ensure equal access for all schools, with a workshop held in January to develop a more equitable framework.
According to a football analyst and sport activist, sport is Africa's most effective tool for creating wealth, uniting populations, and addressing social problems like poverty and tribalism. The writer calls for governments to prioritize investment in sport infrastructure and professionalization across the continent, noting early positive signs in Namibia including state security teams entering football and professional contracts being offered in cricket.
Netball Namibia has confirmed that playoffs will take place in February, with 11 clubs from across the country competing for promotion, though only four teams will earn spots in the league. The organisation is also recruiting a new secretary general ahead of the new season.
Wanderers Netball Club is focused on rebuilding after key player departures, with chairperson Lizl Stoman emphasizing the importance of developing younger players. The club has begun pre-season training and will hold its annual coaching clinic for children aged 8–12 this Saturday.