Netball courts

Netball courts in Soweto function differently than most people imagine. The sport thrives here on networks—teams form through neighbourhood groups, church congregations, and word-of-mouth rather than slick advertising. Courts need to withstand year-round use, from the intense summer heat that cracks unrepaired surfaces to the occasional winter rain that sits in badly graded areas. Players often share courts for practice and matches, so scheduling and maintenance become survival skills for whoever runs the facility. The actual game happens in spaces that demand practical upkeep: line marking that lasts, nets that don't fray after one season, and surfaces level enough that ankles stay safe. It's unglamorous work, but it's what keeps the sport running at grassroots level.