Former Maties netball players Nichole Taljaard and Nicola Smith have just finished their first season as players in England’s Netball Super League.
Taljaard played for London Pulse, and Smith represented Loughborough Lighting.
Both Taljaard and Smith also earned National contracts for 2024.
Loughborough Lighting and London Pulse finished second and third, respectively, in the final standings. Lighting then won the final, and Pulse finished third overall. Smith received a Player of the Match award during the season, and Taljaard finished fourth overall in season deflections.
Other players in England include Lefebre Rademan, Ine-Marie Venter, Shadine van der Merwe, Elmeré van den Bergh and Khanyisa Chawane.
Thinking back on their time at Maties, the current head coach of the Maroons, Adele Niemand-Zeelie, has good memories of Taljaard and Smith.
“Nichole is one of the most talented Goal Attacks I have seen as a coach. Her skill set is unlimited, and her cunning positional play ensures that she will soon be one of the best GAs that the country has delivered. Her journey was never easy; she committed to working hard to get noticed by the Protea selectors, which speaks volumes about her work ethic,” said Niemand-Zeelie.
When it comes to defence, Niemand-Zeelie is a former international defender; she knows what she is talking about.
“Nicola has impressed with her height from an early age, and she played in and against opponents much older than her. Height in netball is a precious attribute, and she has shown her versatility as a defender in both goalkeeper and goal defence. She was a valuable asset in the Maties’ defence and built a reputation as a strong defender.”
