The SPAR Group has officially opened the 2025 SPAR National Netball Championships at Dr. EG Jansen Hoërskool in Boksburg, bringing together talent, teamwork, and a powerful national call to action. The tournament is a flag ship event on the Netball South Africa calendar.
This year’s tournament carries special significance as it follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent declaration of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster, emphasising the urgent need for collective action across the country.
SPAR, already a committed champion of women’s empowerment, is partnering with Netball South Africa to use the tournament platform to amplify two core national priorities: Ending Gender-Based Violence (EndGBV) and Ending Period Poverty (EPP). The week-long event features awareness drives, youth-led conversations, and daily highlight videos aimed at educating and mobilising communities.
“President Ramaphosa’s declaration underscores the reality that GBV is not just a societal issue — it is an emergency,” said Mpudi Maubane, National PR, Communications & Sponsorships Manager at The SPAR Group.
“SPAR stands firmly against GBV. We stand with survivors, we stand with young women, and we stand with every community fighting to build safer spaces. SPAR Champs is not only about netball — it is about giving young voices a platform to speak courageously and be heard.”
Alongside EndGBV advocacy, SPAR continues its End Period Poverty campaign, which ensures young girls have access to sanitary products and menstrual education — enabling them to stay in school and in sport.
“At SPAR, dignity is foundational,” Maubane added.
“No girl should miss learning or playing because she doesn’t have the basic products she needs. Through EPP, we are breaking stigmas, restoring confidence, and helping girls participate fully in their future. SPAR Champs brings this message to life on a national stage.”
More than 2,000 young athletes, coaches, and supporters are expected to attend the tournament, with daily interviews spotlighting stories of strength, resilience, teamwork, and community support.
“As we celebrate performance on the court, we also celebrate purpose,” Maubane said.
“SPAR will continue investing in the protection, dignity, and empowerment of girls across South Africa — because every young woman deserves safety, opportunity, and the freedom to shine.”
Mami Diale, Netball South Africa President said, “Gender based violence has no place in our society, we need to work together in ensuring that we erode this pandemic that is destroying families, communities and societies. Collectively, we must work together in ensuring that no one has to suffer in the hands of another. We need to create safe spaces for those who have experienced GBV, we must also ensure that we hold the perpetrators fully accountable for their actions. Step up and speak up and raise your hands to stop the violence
As the country’s biggest female sport, we stand together with our partner SPAR in their campaign “End Period Poverty Campaign,” we feel very strongly about it and believe that no girl child should miss school or sport because of this. As an organisation, we are playing our part in ensuring that young girls have access to sanitary and hygiene products. A girl child that has access to sanitary products is a confident girl that performs better.”
Picture Credit: Reg Caldecott
