Netball

KEMPS recently had their first student vs. staff netball game.  Scheduled for a Friday afternoon, the whole school congregated at the netball field for this competition.  For those of you that don't know, netball is a game that is similar to basketball that is played by women in the UK, and in Tanzania.  Take away the dribbling, the backboard, and the talking, and you have a fairly close picture of the game. 

The staff team comprised a mixture of teachers and matrons.  As I did not know the rules, I was expecting only to observe and cheer; however, no sooner had I reached the field than Zelva and Teacher Moreen summoned me to be their last player.  Apparently one of the matrons had "disappeared" that afternoon because she did not know the rules and didn't want to play!  Wearing my long skirt and my sneakers I entered the game.  I'm sure my outfit made quite a fashion statement.  Despite my lack of experience with the rules, my seventh grade basketball instincts came back, and the staff team were able to work together to rival the students who had afternoon practices and much experience.

Unfortunately the game was called short by an expected downpour in the afternoon.  The sky became dark, the wind picked up, and staff, students and teachers alike sprinted down the hill as the curtain of rain swept over the field where, moments before, all were cheering and clapping on their teams.