With a new coach and a new captain, the Maties Netball team is looking to continue where they left of last year and claim that elusive Varsity Netball crown.
With 85 caps for the national side new coach Zanele Mdodana knows what it takes to perform at the highest level and the former Proteas player will want to make her mark in the competition. Mdonana said the following when she was appointed back in December 2016: “Maties have great talent and receive great support from management. They have a great support structure and professional set-up.
“The players are very disciplined and that is crucial for success. So, with these important components in place there are just one or two things for me to focus on.”
On the court, the team is led by Megan Gossman, who is in her third Varsity Netball campaign. She graduated with a degree in Sport Science at the end of last year and the former Stellenberg High School pupil will look to set the tone with a strong defensive showing. She plays Wing Defence and Goal Defence and is currently enrolled for a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education.
Charmaine Baard and Sasha-Lee Petersen are the most senior players in the team, having played three previous tournaments and they will look to mentor newcomers Adri Uys, Alison Malgas, Caleigh Stuart, Nichole Taljaard and Nielke Matthee. Somari Els and Stephanie Brandt are also heading in their third campaign and will look to show the value of experience when it comes to the business end of the competition.
The team can rely on a packed Coetzenburg Indoor Centre when they take the court and will look to start strongly against UWC and VUT in the opening weekend.
Maties Netball Fixtures for Varsity Netball 2017:
27 August: Maties vs UWC, Coetzenburg Indoor Centre (TV)
28 August: Maties vs VUT, Coetzenburg Indoor Centre
4 September: Maties vs UJ, Coetzenburg Indoor Centre (TV)
10 September: Tuks vs Maties, Rembrand Hall, Pretoria (TV)
11 September: NWU vs Maties, Rembrand Hall, Pretoria
18 September: Maties vs UFS Shimlas, Coetzenburg Indoor Centre (TV)
25 September: Maties vs Madibaz, Coetzenburg Indoor Centre (TV)
Maties Netball Squad for Varsity Netball 2017:
Charmaine Baard (GS/GA)
Nichole Taljaard (GA)
Somari Els (GA)
Adri Uys (WA)
Abeline Olivier (WA)
Sasha-lee Petersen (C/WD)
Carla Werth (C)
Alison Malgas (WD)
Nielke Matthee (GD/WD)
Caleigh Stuart (GD/GK)
Megan Gossmann (Captain & GD/WD)
Stephanie Brandt (GK)
By Dorfling Terblanche
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