Capricorn Group discontinues Schools Netball League
Capricorn Group has announced that the Capricorn Schools Netball League will not continue in the forthcoming season, citing concerns about competitive fairness and inclusivity.
The league, launched to create a high-level competitive platform for Namibia’s top schools, has over time produced unintended disparities. According to the group, the current structure has favoured schools able to afford travel and related costs, sometimes at the expense of more competitive teams that were excluded due to financial constraints.
Capricorn Group said the situation undermined the league’s original intent of promoting equitable national competition.
“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.”
Accessibility in the spotlight
As part of a transition towards a more inclusive model, the Namibia School Sport Union (NSSU) hosted a two-day workshop in January 2026, sponsored by Capricorn Group 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.
