Action Netball - the Agony and the Ecstasy

For those who have been following the antics of the Dixie Chicks, the action netball team I belong to, here is an update of our progress.


The Agony
I am reminded of one of my previous blogs about action netball for the over forties. Well, it would seem that agony is par for the course for an over forty prancing around a netball court. Stiff limbs and hurt pride are a usual result at the end of each match. However, it seems that the under forties have suffered just as much. 
One of our younger players has had to pull out due to an ankle injury. She had the cheek to injure herself in the middle of a tight and exciting game, leaving us at the mercy of a young and vicious team. Fortunately, we managed to find a substitute and went on to win the game.
Another player has had a fingernail ripped back during practice causing blood to trickle out making her designer nail look very Gothic. Not good for her sexy little image, at all. To her credit, she was of strong South African stock and practiced on.
A number of players have had tumbles and spills resulting in 'roasties' and bruises all over their bodies. However, the creme' da le creme' has to be yours truly. In true fighter style, not to be outdone by the youngsters, I was desperately clawing my way to victory during a practice on Sunday morning. My able opponent would not be outdone and in the ensuing tussle, I felt myself falling rapidly towards the gravel coating of the tennis court. Remembering my last tumble on the astro-turf and the big graze on my knee, I pulled up my knees and spread out my hands. The next thing I knew was that I was face to face with the gravel. I didn't graze my knees, but I tumbled forward on to my face and kissed the dirt. Ouch. Blood flowed. Oohs and ahs were said, water was produced and then our very compassionate captain promptly yelled that it was time to continue practice. So, continue we did, even though I looked like a swollen lipped monster.


The Ecstasy
Enough of the hardships. What of the ecstasy? Well, as mentioned before in my ramblings of action netball, there is nothing quite like winning and it has been a joy of major proportions to have won a number of games at last. Where we once were bottom of the lowest league, we now sit in third place and may even make the semi finals. And that, my friends, makes it all worthwhile, although I must admit I thought that I would have lost a few kilos by now.

I Don't Need to Say a Thing

Five Reasons to Participate in Football Friday

Once again, it is Football Friday in South Africa, and everywhere I go I see individuals in green and yellow football shirts. It is especially uplifting in light of the current political climate.

Five Reasons to Participate in Football Friday

United South Africa

The biggest reason would be to help unite South Africa. We live in an amazingly diverse nation, yet we still have a long way to go with regards to racial harmony. When we wear our Bafana Bafana supporter shirts, we stand out as being proudly South African, regardless of our culture. We help to create a South African culture. 

Half Price Cappuccino

Apparently, if you go to Sasol garage convenience stores and order a Chaywa cappuccino in your Football Friday gear, you will receive it for half the usual price. Being, a cappuccino lover, that sounds like a good deal to me.

Support the World Cup

As South Africans, we are hearing all about how we need to host the World Cup well. We are generally a hospitable people, but there is also a lot of negativity in the land. By wearing our yellow and greens, we are showing support for our beloved country hosting the World Cup. We are joining the clan of positive thinkers and the more positive people we have, the more of a success it will be.

Spar Gift Vouchers

Some Spar stores, according to an excerpt which I heard on Radio Highveld, will randomly pick a Football Friday supporter who is shopping in the store on Fridays. The lucky supporter will win a Spar voucher. 

Fun, Fun, Fun

I am a sucker for having fun. Joining in any initiative that has a worthy cause is good enough for me to participate. The cool thing about wearing Football Friday shirts is that I find myself smiling at all the other supporters during the day. I find that there seems to be an atmosphere of friendliness, and God knows how much we all need that in our lives.

So, once again, I encourage South Africa to become a football supporter on Fridays. Come on, join in the fun. 

Take a look at http://www.footballfridays.co.za for more reasons.

Two Netball Wins for Dixie Chicks

Yesterday I told you to watch this space. Last night, the Dixie Chicks played our sixth game. We were totally amped and ready to go for the gold. Before the game, we excitedly hyped ourselves up imagining how cool a second win would be. 

First Half

We started with a bang and shot a few hoops in succession, and then I guess we felt a little cocky, thinking we had the match. But within minutes our opponents shot back and for the rest of the first half we managed to just stay ahead. By half time we were leading 8-7. 

Half Time

We had our half time pep talk and we were desperate to stay ahead. Our faults were much less than usual. Our passing was great and the team was gelling really well. We were feeling strong.

Disaster Struck in the Second Half

We started the second half strongly and were playing like mini superstars. It felt so good. The next thing our Goal Defense was lying on the astro-turf squirming in pain and shaking like a leaf. She had tangled with another player and fallen, wrenching her ankle badly. She couldn't move and was in obvious pain. We had to carry her off the court in order to get her injury treated. What a blow.

The Show Must Go On

A substitute was found on the sidelines from one of the other teams and we continued play. Immediately our opponents shot two goals in a row. I wondered if we had been badly rattled and whether it would affect the game, but then the tide suddenly turned. We played like champs. Darting here and there, throwing straight sharp balls, shooting in the hoops until the final whistle blew.

Another Win

We had won 18-11. What a joy. After thanking the other team, we whooped and giggled in delight. It feels so much better to win, than to lose. We checked on our player, who was still in pain on the sidelines and waved her goodbye as she left early. From almost bottom of the league, we now find ourselves in third place. 

Dare I say again, "Watch this space"?

Dixie Chicks Finally Win Action Netball Match

A while back I gave some advice on Action Netball for the over forties. Well, this over forty has pushed through with the game and together with my team, the Dixie Chicks, have finally won a game!


Beginners Game
Being a new team, with women who either hadn't played for years or, like me, had never played before, we were entered in the lowest league. Much to our disgust, we were thoroughly thrashed in our first game and we limped off the court in a shell shocked state. We were exhausted and our pride had taken a huge knock. However, we were determined to beat the next team, after all they were also in the lowest league.


A Run of Losses
For the next three games we lost dismally, no matter how hard we tried. Our tiny ref seemed to give us a hard time too as she could see that we had no idea about the rules of the game. There were many times when I felt like chucking her off the court as she continually blasted that whistle. We were always being blown up. First it was foot faults, then when we managed to work that one out, it was handling. Finally managing to handle the ball better, we were blown up for net abuse - I felt like abusing someone else... And just when we thought we were getting it all together we kept being penalized for contact. Would we ever learn?


Finally a Win
Game number five, we entered the court raring to go, desperate for a win. We were fitter, we were wiser and we were hungry. And we did it! We finally managed to beat another team by two whole points. What a feeling. We were all delighted. You would swear that we had won the Olympics. We cheered and high-fived and knocked back shooters in celebration. Even our tiny but tormenting ref smiled and said that we had improved.


What Next?
It is our sixth game tomorrow night and having tasted victory, we are feeling confident and hungry for another win. No longer at the bottom of the league, we are determined to keep it that way. So, watch this space.

Soccer Village

photo by ethekwinigirl

I recently discovered that the area where I live is becoming a soccer village during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. I had heard that many of the townhouse complexes were being used as accommodation for tourists thronging into the nation causing the residents to earn some well deserved extra cash. All the residents need to do is move in with family or friends for six weeks and make their unit available to the agents, who then arranges the accommodation and other necessities.

Townhouse Complexes Thrive

It turns out that there are around thirty complexes in my suburb participating and our area will become a soccer village. Roads will be closed and new bus routes introduced, as tourists wander the streets.

Hosting the World

I'm sure that soccer village will cause quite a stir and some inconvenience for the locals, however it is a wonderful opportunity for us rise up as excellent hosts and make some money out of it.

Moment of Opportunity

This is a time for the innovative 'boer maak 'n plan' people of the Rainbow Nation to find a gap and grab hold of opportunity. Surely there is something for everyone. I, for one, am straining my brain for an idea. I know that my lightbulb moment is on it's way. Please feel free to egg it on.

It's All About Attitude

I know that there are many doomsayers and predictions of debt, disaster and destruction. However, I also know that opportunity lurks expectantly. If I focus on the negative, I'll miss that tiny gap.

So, rather than moaning about the changes in my suburb, I choose to use them to my advantage.

National Cleavage Day and Football Friday Rolled into One

I naturally put on my Bafana Bafana shirt this morning as I prepared for the day. After all, it is Friday and in South Africa that is translated as Football Friday or Vuvu Friday. I love the fact that I don't have to think about what to wear on Fridays.


National Cleavage Day
The next thing I discovered that today is National Cleavage Day, to promote the prevention of breast cancer, certainly a worthy cause for any woman, or man for that matter.


My problem was that my Bafana shirt shows absolutely zero cleavage.


Proudly South African and Proudly Woman
Being proudly South African and even more proudly all woman, I wanted to participate in both Football Friday and National Cleavage Day. So I dug through my wardrobe until I found my green super springbok t-shirt with the yellow trim and low cut neckline. Aha, the right colours and cleavage to bare. 


The True Heroes of National Cleavage Day
I proudly donned my new shirt for the day, stood tall and headed for work, thanking God that I have been spared the trauma that so many women have had to face in the struggle against breast cancer. They are the true heroes of National Cleavage Day.