How it started...

In 2023, we found that our Down Syndrome learners do not have a wide platform to participate in sports. The Department of Education does provide futsal, which caters to Down Syndrome soccer, along with other sports such as table tennis, athletics, etc. However, our learners at The Gateway School found it difficult to compete at these levels. We are a school for severe intellectual disabilities (SID), and unfortunately, our learners have to compete against more able learners.

My colleagues and SGB mentioned that they want more opportunities for our Down Syndrome learners that would take place in a safe, controlled manner. That is when I realized that we could go out on a limb and attempt a new Down Syndrome sporting code. I looked at various sporting codes such as netball, ringball, korfball, and volleyball, and combined various aspects of these codes, also adapting the codes to create Daisyball. And with that, we incorporated Daisyball practice times into our sports programme that commenced in 2024.

The challenges were keeping the health risks of our learners in mind and adapting the sport in such a way that it is medically safe for them to play. And, of course, we need to decide on a name for this new sporting code. After a lot of thinking, debating, and laughter, we decided on the name Daisyball. For these girls are our pretty, little, happy, daisy kids.

In term 2 of 2024, our first practice started. Oh boy, what an experience! We spent the next three months working on ball skills, rules, positions, and attacks on the court. We are proud and grateful to say the girls know what to do. We ended the term happy and hopeful and looked forward to the school holidays, knowing that when we return for term 3, we have to face the challenge of coaching defence on court and avoiding any contact situations during the game.

Term 3 started, and was I amazed. The girls started understanding defence, and the game started to flow. At this rate, I believe it is safe to say that in 2025, our team could start playing official matches. We are still focusing on ball skills and game plan; however, this term is proof that our idea is working. We can now start playing around with attire and a mascot.

11 September 2024 was a big day for our team. Dr. Donna Dowson visited us to assist in the health requirements for this league to kick off. Laerskool Dr. Havinga joined us with their 0/10 netball team. This is the age group in which the girls start to play real netball in the mainstream. While these girls are also new to the game and learning, we thought it wise to have them play a trial match against the Daisies. We were very excited and highly motivated to prove ourselves. The Daisies were READY!

A key focus point for us is to adapt and develop the game in such a way that it is medically safe for our learners. We know that many Down Syndrome learners have fragile spines and heart problems. Therefore, any contact sport and all cardio activities could pose a potential risk.

Clarissa Victor and I took the time to look over the original rules of netball, ringball, korfball, and volleyball, and came up with our own rules and adapted the rules to suit our version of this new sporting code better.

Please forget everything you might know about the rules of netball, korfball, ringball, and volleyball. Throw your rule book out the window and look at our rules with an open mind; THIS IS NOT NETBALL, KORFBALL, RINGBALL, OR VOLLEYBALL. Remember safety first.