With just a couple of days before the 2024 Varsity Netball tournament starts, Maties have their sights set on repeating their success of 2022 when they walked away with the title. The Maroon Machine is also focused on improving their performance from last year when they reached the semi-final and lost to eventual winners UP-Tuks.
Coach Adele Zeelie has set clear goals for the season, emphasizing both short-term objectives and the ultimate aim of reaching the final.
“I think every team would like to secure a spot in the final, but we have set out short-term goals to get to the final. At this stage, we would like to place better than the 2023 season, and we are aiming for a home semi-final.”
The team’s strategy revolves around taking it one game at a time, using each match as an opportunity to learn and improve.
“It’s important to play one game and weekend at a time and take learnings and successes from each game to improve week on week.
“We had a good build-up to this year’s competition. We relooked at our training and structured them in a different way to incorporate more of the high-pressure demands within the 60 minutes,” Zeelie says.
Maties boast a strong lineup this year, particularly on the defensive end where Synthich Kabuya and Danielle van Nieuwenhuizen form a formidable combination. Additionally, the team has exciting new talents making their debut this season, including Adri Carstens and Michelle van der Merwe.
“They have grown vastly in the last few months and are definitely players for the future,” Zeelie remarks, highlighting the potential these newcomers bring to the squad.
This season, Maties will be led by Van Nieuwenhuizen as captain, with Chrisley Marshall serving as vice-captain. Van Nieuwenhuizen’s leadership on the court, combined with Marshall’s support, will be vital as the team navigates the ups and downs of the season.
Varsity Netball serves as a crucial platform for showcasing talent, providing young and upcoming players with the experience they need to excel at higher levels. Zeelie echoes these sentiments.
“Varsity Netball is exactly that, ‘showcasing talent’. This is a great opportunity for young and upcoming players to get used to the big leagues as they might not have made it into the Telkom Netball League just yet”.
Maties will begin their 2024 Varsity Netball campaign against UJ on Sunday 1 September at 15:00. For a full fixture list, click HERE.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD: (subject to change)
Lisa Ingwersen, Michelle van der Merwe, Chrisley Marshall, Renezia Andrews, Shanidiné Bezuidenhout, Adri Carstens, Marne Abrahamse, Miriam Ndjadi, Danielle van Nieuwenhuizen, Lize Rossouw, Syniche Kabuya, Hannah Olivier, Hannah Kriel, Thabisa Yekani, Bianca Ondendaal, Lane Giliomee.
By Varsity Sports SA