2024 started with great excitement and sadness, with the resignation of Maties Netball Head Coach Zanele Mdodana.
Mdodana worked with Maties Sport for seven years from 2016 to 2023. Some of her recent achievements included a first Varsity Netball title triumphant in 2022 and back-to-back USSA titles in 2022 and 2023. She also produced two SPAR Protea netball players in Nichole Taljaard and Nicola Smith last year, they were both selected to participate in the Netball World Cup.
Our former assistant coach Adele Zeelie joins us, not as a newcomer, but with years of association to the Maroon Machine. She was part of the management team that achieved double gold at USSA and Varsity netball in 2022. Zeelie is multi-talented having played netball professionally for the SPAR Proteas, competed in multiple Iron Man races and been a motivational speaker at various high profile events.
Zeelie had this to say after re-joining the Maroon Machine, “I am thrilled to be able to be back in a coaching capacity at Maties. I have worked with most of the players throughout the years and believe they have the skill set and talent to achieve great things. Zanele has built a solid foundation with the team and I will continue to develop a distinct style of play with new and current players. My coaching approach is based on a holistic development of players, whereby I address all aspects of the game both on and off court. All in all, really looking forward to the challenge.”
The newly appointed Head Coach will be supported by a management team that includes:
- Sasha-Lee Petersen (Assistant Coach/Maties 2 Coach)
- Jo Prins (Maties Junior Coach)
- Theo Tafeni (Maties Men’s Coach)
- Havillan Abrahams (S&C Coach)
- Neda Isaacs (Physio)
Sport Manager for Netball, Charle Swart said: “Zanele was a big part of the success of Maties Netball and the winning culture that she instilled into our players. We would just like to say thank you for the seven years of commitment and dedication to the Maroon Machine. Although, we are saying goodbye to Zanele I look forward to welcoming a familiar face back to our management structure in Adele Zeelie. Adele has the full backing and support of Maties Netball, we know her capabilities as a dynamic coach and we look forward to start this new journey with her.”
By Kimara Singh