“Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you will look back, and realize they were the big things.” (Elsunet du Plessis – Varsity Netball 2013-2014, NWU | National Team debut 2015)
NWU starts their 2022 Varsity Netball campaign with a tricky opener against UJ on 17 September in Pretoria while their last round-robin fixture is against defending champions Kovsies in Bloemfontein on 3 October. The 2015 and 2016 champions from Potchefstroom will play their home matches against TUT and Maties on 25 and 26 September respectively.
After losing against Kovsies by one point in the semi-finals (66-65) and eventually finishing fourth in last year’s competition, coach Elsunet du Plessis says this year the focus is on how they can play better as a team.
“We took a bit of a break after the National Championship, to give the players time to rest. Preparations are going well and the whole team is excited about this year’s Varsity competition. The aim is to get a spot in the semi-finals.”
SQUAD (*subject to change)
Elmeré van der Berg, Sunel Smit, Caitlin Du Plessis, Lucy Strydom, Ilke van der Linde, Tlotlang Mokomela, Jomari Lubbe, Michelle Geduld, Kekeletso Molotsi, Favour Umeh, Nicolene Van Heerden, Sanmarie Visser, Martiné Jordaan, Chelize Swart, Kegaugetse Mashilo.
COACHING STAFF
Head coach: Elsunet Du Plessis
Team manager: Tracey Magwebu
TEAM RECORDS
2021: 4th
Best finish: Winners (2015, 2016)
2022 FIXTURES
Saturday 17 September – Round 1 vs UJ (13:00 @ Rembrandt Hall, Tuks)
Sunday 18 September – Round 2 vs UWC (13:00 @ Rembrandt Hall, Tuks)
Monday 19 September – Round 3 vs Madibaz (15:00 @ Rembrandt Hall, Tuks)
Sunday 25 September – Round 4 vs TUT (17:00 @ NWU Amphitheatre, NWU)
Monday 26 September – Round 5 vs Maties (19:00 @ NWU Amphitheatre, NWU)
Sunday 2 October – Round 6 vs Tuks (15:00 @ Callie Human Hall, UFS)
Monday 3 October – Round 7 vs Kovsies (19:00 @ Callie Human Hall, UFS)
