Menlyn Park Shopping Centre is set to become a hub for youth sport this weekend as the Menlyn Fast 3 Netball Championships tip off on Friday, bringing together 25 teams, young players, aspiring netballers and some of South Africa’s top netball talent.
Running from Friday, 4 September to Sunday, 6 September 2026, the three-day tournament will see five-player teams compete across four age categories in the fast-paced Fast 3 format, with 25 teams registering before entries closed.
Adding to the excitement, the weekend will be supported by members of the Proteas, South Africa’s national netball team, as well as the Gauteng Jaguars, giving young participants an opportunity to engage with players at the highest levels of the sport. The Gauteng Jaguars are among the most successful teams in South Africa’s Telkom Netball League and have a strong track record of developing players who go on to represent the national team.
Their involvement reinforces the event’s focus on youth development and creating pathways into sport, allowing young players to see what is possible when talent is supported and given opportunities to grow.
But the Menlyn Fast 3 Netball Championships are about more than competition. As part of the weekend programme, netball clinics will give younger children an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the sport, build confidence and experience the game in an inclusive and encouraging environment.
For Menlyn Park, the combination of the tournament and clinics forms part of its broader community and CSI approach, using the centre as a platform to create meaningful opportunities for young people and support the development of sport at grassroots level.
“Sport has an incredible ability to bring communities together, but it can also play an important role in helping young people build confidence, discipline and teamwork. That is what makes this initiative particularly meaningful for Menlyn Park,” said Nisha Kemraj, General Manager of Menlyn Park Shopping Centre.
“We are excited to welcome 25 teams to Menlyn Park and, importantly, to have the support of the Proteas and Gauteng Jaguars. For young players, being able to interact with athletes they look up to can be incredibly powerful. It gives them role models, creates aspiration and shows them that there is a pathway for those who are passionate about the sport.”
“The netball clinics are equally important to us because youth development cannot only be about those who are already competing. We want to create an opportunity for children who may be picking up a netball for the first time to discover the sport, have fun and potentially develop a passion that stays with them.”
The Fast 3 format brings an energetic dimension to the weekend, with fewer players on court creating a faster game that places a premium on speed, agility, quick decision-making and teamwork. The format is designed to keep players active and engaged while providing an exciting experience for families and spectators.
The presence of the Proteas and Gauteng Jaguars will further add to the experience, creating opportunities for young participants to watch, learn from and connect with elite netball players.
For Menlyn Park, this is at the heart of what the initiative aims to achieve: bringing sport closer to the community while creating opportunities for young people to participate, learn and aspire.
“Menlyn Park is more than a place to shop. We have an opportunity to use our platform to bring people together and support initiatives that can make a difference in our community. Through Fast 3, we are creating a space where competition, participation and development can happen side by side,” concluded Kemraj.
The Menlyn Fast 3 Netball Championships will take place from 4–6 September 2026 at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, bringing together teams, families, aspiring young players and netball supporters for a weekend celebrating sport, youth development and community.
