SPORT
Sport Philosophy
Sport is an important aspect of Danville’s approach to a holistic education; giving our learners the opportunity to achieve a well-rounded schooling career.
Our various sporting codes are played at the highest level against top private and public schools, which ensures that our girls are exposed to quality competition. In most arenas Danville is placed as the top public school in their respective league, and every year we boast numerous KZN and SA representatives across the range of codes.
We understand that this can only be achieved from top quality coaching, and hence we are proud of the level of coaching our players receive, including current and past national and provincial players.
Our extensive facilities set us apart from most schools in the area, and stand as a testament to the importance and priority that we place on our sport. Our world-standard Astro Turf, internationally-used Indoor Sports Centre and heated Swimming Pool reflect our commitment to support our athletes with the best resources, enabling them to reach their full potential.
We also boast a Medical Centre, which includes Biokineticists and Physiotherapists who are available at a reduced rate to our players.
SPORTS OFFERED
BASKETBALL
Played in Terms 2 & 3
This is played in our very own Danville Indoor Sports Centre. The highlight of the basketball season is the 1st team attending the Val Fowler Basketball Tournament in Pietermaritzburg where they get to play against the top teams in the country.
Our Head of Basketball, Ms Khuzwayo, brings a wealth of experience as a national player and FIBA International Referee.
CROSS COUNTRY
Played in Term 2
Many of our girls run at our morning training sessions, some in preparation for the league races, others just to keep fit and healthy, and others to improve their fitness level for another sporting code.
HOCKEY
Indoor played in Terms 1 & 4, Outdoor played in Term 2
Danville runs an extensive Hockey program with this sport being one of the key sporting codes at the school, and is played in three of the four school terms.
Ms Halliday is the Head of Hockey, and has represented both Northern Cape and the KZN Raiders.
Our Indoor Hockey league takes place in our state-of-the-art Indoor Sports Centre and the Outdoor Hockey league takes place on our very own world-class Astroturf.
Danville competes in the A League for both the Indoor and Outdoor Hockey leagues, playing against some of the top schools in the country, and our 1st Team is regularly rated top 3 in the league as well as the top public school in the league.
We also endeavour to expose our players to other schools by arranging a number of local and inter-provincial tours, including the annual National All Girls Festival, Crawford La Lucia Tournament and St Mary’s DSG, Kloof U16 Tournament to name a few.
Danville historically has a strong regional, provincial and national representation through our multifaceted approach to the code, with national representatives including Nthabi Maine, Jessica Lardant and Cheree Greyvenstein. The latter 2 players represented South Africa in the 2025 FIH Indoor World Cup.
This quality of Hockey can only be achieved from quality coaching, and we strive to employ committed, enthusiastic Hockey coaches who have played at the highest possible, either at a provincial or national level.
NETBALL
Outdoor played in Terms 1 & 2, Action played in Term 3
Our dedicated coaches are led by our own Danville past pupil, Ms Mthembu, who has 97 caps for the Spar Proteas and is currently the South African U21 Baby Spar Protea coach. In 2024 she was also chosen as the KZN Coach of the year.
In 2024, both U14A and U17A teams represented KZN at the SA Nationals Tournament in Johannesburg. The 1st Team also represents the school every year at the National All Girls Festival (held in Cape Town in 2025).
SOCCER
Played in Term 3
This popular sport is played at the local Virginia Soccer Club, with practices being held on our lower field. Our Soccer teams attend several tournaments throughout the year, including the KZN age group tournaments and the Kearsney College Soccer Tournament.
SQUASH
Played in Terms 1, 2 & 3
Squash is played at the Crusaders Club Courts, and our players are coached by two qualified and experienced KZN Squash Association coaches.
Players are divided into two groups:
- The Academy Group – the beginners – are taught the basics such as racquet grip, footwork and basic stroke techniques.
- The Team Group is coached in more advanced aspects of strategy in match play and competes in the local schools’ league.
SWIMMING
Played in Terms 1 & 4
Swimming starts off the year for the sporting codes in term one and runs for a solid seven weeks, culminating in the D&D A league Gala.
Our Head of Aquatics, Ms Stiemens, is an extreme ice swimmer and ultra-marathon swimmer and coach. She has represented South Africa in the Ice Swimming Championships both in 2019 (Russia) and 2025 (Italy), and holds the world age group record in 4 events. In 2024 she also completed the swim crossing the English Channel.
TOUCH RUGBY
Played in Term 4
Touch Rugby has been the fastest growing sport to date. The fast feet, quick hands and team culture has made this a popular code for our Danville learners.
With top provincial coaches guiding our players, Danville has produced numerous provincial players.
TENNIS
Played in Term 1, 2 & 3
Tennis is played at the Virginia Preparatory School tennis courts where both beginners and more skilled players receive top level coaching.
Munashe Teburu is a certified National Instructors (Level 1) tennis coach and an active competitive player. A former Top 20 singles and Top 10 doubles player in South Africa, he also achieved a career-high ranking of No. 2 in KwaZulu-Natal singles.
VOLLEYBALL
Played in Terms 1 & 2
Our Head of Volleyball, Ms Khuzwayo, is a former national Volleyball player and former KZN Captain. Volleyball is a popular sport at Danville, with many of our players progressing to represent at a provincial and national level.
WATERPOLO
Played in Terms 1, 3 & 4
We are proud of our Head of Waterpolo, Mrs Keet Stewart, who is not only a South African player, but has also coached the South African U16 and U18 girls’ teams. In addition to these accolades, she is also an international referee, and was the Video Analyser Referee at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The 1st team attends the annual St Anne’s Waterpolo Tournament.