Capricorn Group Suspends Schools Netball League to Reassess Competition Structure

Capricorn Group Suspends Schools Netball League to Reassess Competition Structure. Capricorn Group has announced that the Capricorn Schools Netball League will not continue in the upcoming season, citing concerns around competitive integrity and inclusivity within the current format.

The Group said the decision follows a review of the League’s structure, which was originally designed to provide a national platform for strong competition among the country’s top schools. However, it has become apparent that participation has increasingly been influenced by schools’ ability to cover travel and related costs, rather than competitive merit alone. As a result, some schools were able to take part despite limited competitiveness, while other talented teams were excluded due to financial constraints.

Capricorn Group said this imbalance undermined the League’s founding principles and prompted a reassessment of its approach.

“Capricorn Group believes that the spirit of competition should not be limited by economics, and it is imperative to reassess our approach to ensure that every school has an equal opportunity to participate in national competitions. Therefore, after careful consideration, we have decided to suspend the Capricorn Schools Netball League,” said Marlize Horn, Group Chief Brand and Corporate Affairs Officer.

As part of the transition process, the Namibia School Sport Union organised a two-day workshop in January 2026 aimed at developing a more equitable competition framework. Representatives from different regions participated in the workshop, which was facilitated by national netball coach and master facilitator Julene Meyer. The initiative was sponsored by Capricorn Group in collaboration with the NSSU and included representatives from Netball Namibia.

Horn said Capricorn Group remains proud of its long-standing support for school netball and women’s sport in Namibia. Since 2019, the League has provided opportunities for players from senior primary to secondary schools to compete for a national title.“The Capricorn Schools Netball League has made a positive impact in promoting netball in schools, and we are proud of its legacy,” she said.

Capricorn Group added that it looks forward to exploring alternative ways to support a more inclusive and accessible national netball competition going forward.