Each week Varsity Netball will introduce one of the eight talented coaches in the competition. This week it’s former Proteas goal attack Christine Behan, one of the youngest coaches in the series at 34 years of age. She coached the Maties to a best-ever second place in last year’s competition.
The former learner of Diamantveld High School in Kimberley, a school that has produced five Proteas of who Lauren-Lee Christians is the latest, started coaching in 2001. Ten years later she took over the range at Maties and was appointed as head coach in 2013. She is the daughter of former Springbok coach André Markgraaff.
What position did you play in your playing days?
I was a shooter, GS or GA, but I preferred GA.
What is the highest level you played at?
Playing for the Proteas from 2004 to 2010.
What made you decide to go into coaching?
It was just the obvious next step after I retired at the end of 2010. I have a passion for the game and wanted to stay involved, it will always be part of my life and working with students is so rewarding so when the opportunity at Maties came up in 2011 I didn’t think twice.
What coach has played the biggest role in your coaching career?
Without a doubt Elize Kotzé. She has always been a coach I looked up to and learned the most from. Having her as my mentor over the last two years has truly been special and such a privilege.
Which was the very first team you coached?
The Under-14A and B teams of Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as the coach of Maties?
Playing in (and hosting) the final of the 2015 Varsity Netball competition. It was the goal we set for ourselves at the beginning of the season and we achieved it, so I was very proud of the girls! Also having four players in the national u/21 team this year.
Who are the players that you have coached at Maties that have since become Proteas? None. But Juline Rossouw has played for the SA Fast5 team in 2013.
Most memorable win in Varsity Netball until now?
Beating Pukke in the re-match in 2015 that was played in PE, after the game was called off in Potchefstroom. Also beating Tuks in the semi-finals that year in Pretoria.
And what’s that one defeat that still gives you nightmares?
Losing the final at home last year was obviously disappointing, but definitely doesn’t give me nightmares anymore, it’s a new year!
How do you try to stay up to date in terms of new netball strategies and coaching methods?
I attend clinics and keep in touch or share ideas with other coaches, both local and international. Furthermore I read and do research on the internet as well as studying international matches.
If you were asked to come up with one new innovation for Varsity Netball, what would that be?
Maybe a double round of matches against each other, playing once at home and once away to make the competition stronger and stretching it out over a longer period of time.
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