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New Queen in SA Netball

todayMarch 1, 2024 87

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Jenny Van Dyk has been confirmed as the new senior coach of the senior women’s national netball team.

The SPAR Proteas had been without a head coach since Norma Plummer stepped down in December and Netball South Africa had advertised the position before the Australian mentor left this role in 2023.

The organisation says Van Dyk’s appointment follows a meticulous process of reviewing applications and conducting rounds of interviews.

“This process of appointing a head coach for the SPAR Proteas has not been easy. We wanted to ensure that we do a proper job in selecting the best person for the role. We needed to be thorough in the selection process, from interviews right through to appointment, says Netball South Africa President, Cecilia Molokwane.

“A suitable candidate for us is an individual who can assist as we rebuild the team and begin to compete. With a few of our senior players retiring, we are starting anew, and we need a coach who will build with us. As a federation, we are confident that we have found the right person to help us do exactly that,” adds Molokwane.

Van Dyk has been given a four-year contract and will lead the team to the 2027 Netball World Cup in Australia, among other tournaments. She will be assisted by former SPAR Proteas Captain and Maties coach, Zanele Mdodana.

“It is a fantastic feeling and quite an honour to be bestowed the responsibility to
lead the national team (SPAR Proteas). I have waited so long to don this green
blazer. I am also happy to be joined by Zanele, she has something that sets her soul
on fire, and I believe that we will be a formidable team,” says the ecstatic coach.

“As a coach for the SPAR Proteas, my objective is to continue from where my predecessor left off, we need to build a winning team – to follow a proudly South African culture of netball. We need to get into the culture of winning and having a netball identity. I believe that we are equal to the task and start competing and winning.”

Van Dyk has been hailed as one of the best local coaches and the most successful
coach in the domestic Telkom Netball League. She has won five consecutive titles
with the Tshwane based outfit, the Jaguars.

She also has led the University of Pretoria netball team to a few finals and titles in the Varsity Cup. Prior to her appointment, she was with the under 21 team who are scheduled to play in the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 Qualifiers in March.

The coach’s first assignment is to assemble a group of 30 players and finalise the
team that she will begin to work with as soon as possible.

Molokwane has expressed confidence in her and says Netball SA is certain that the team will take South African netball to new heights. Written by Ntsako Mkhari

Written by: Lindiwe Mabena

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