Success in Varsity Netball 2019 could come in a few guises for UWC, so it will be intriguing to see if they actually manage it.
This season will be UWC’s third year in the tournament so no longer can they use the ‘newcomer’ tag to explain any shortfalls, but a few facts remain.
The Capetonians will be among the shorter teams in the tournament, they have to play all their matches away and will rely on many first years to be ready for top-level netball.
Those factors aside, Janine du Toit’s side will look to better their 2017 and 2018 showings by picking up at least three wins this time around. That would be progress. As would pushing the ‘big four’ closer in games be (as they managed at the USSA National Championships) and integrating talented newcomers like Gillian Fortuin, Jade Carnow and Heidi Kuzatjike who’ve represented South Africa at junior level.
SQUAD
Amber Coraizin, Vendjihonga Katjaimo, Akhona Faye, Gillian Fortuin, Jade Carnow, Jami Vermeulen, Heidi Kuzatjike, Cindy Amsterdam, Nthabiseng Sibeko, Courtleigh Behr, Gailynn Potts, Aimee Cupido, Joy Vermeulen, Keesha van Schalkwyk (captain), Robyn Haupt.
Newcomers in Varsity Netball (7): Amber Coraizin, Gillian Fortuin, Jade Carnow, Heidi Kuzatjike, Aimee Cupido, Joy Vermeulen, Robyn Haupt.
* Tallest player: Nthabiseng Sibeko (1.82m)
* Shortest player: Gillian Fortuin (1.53m)
COACHING STAFF
Head coach: Janine du Toit
Assistant coach: Freda Kemp
Team manager: Jaumbuaije Zauana
TEAM RECORDS
Previous performances: 2018 – 6th; 2017 – 6th
Biggest win: 24 goals (67-43 vs VUT, 2017)
Biggest defeat: 77 goals (16-93 vs Kovsies, 2017)
Most goals scored: 74 (74-42 vs VUT, 2018)
Least goals scored: 16 (16-93 vs Kovsies, 2017)
Least goals conceded: 43 (67-43 vs VUT, 2017)
Most goals conceded: 93 (16-93 vs Kovsies, 2017) & (61-93 vs NWU, 2018)
Most consecutive wins: 2 (2017) & (2018)
Most consecutive losses: 4 (2017)
2019 FIXTURES
Round 1 vs TUT (26 Aug, 17:30 @ Callie Human Centre, Kovsies – LIVE on SuperSport 10)
Round 2 vs NWU (2 Sept, 16:00 @ Coetzenburg Sport Centre, Maties)
Round 3 vs Tuks (8 Sept, 15:00 @ Madibaz Indoor Sport Centre, Madibaz – LIVE on SuperSport 10)
Round 4 vs Madibaz (9 Sept, 19:00 @ Madibaz Indoor Sport Centre, Madibaz)
Round 5 vs Maties (15 Sept, 13:30 @ Rembrandt Hall, Tuks)
Round 6 vs Kovsies (16 Sept, 17:30 @ Rembrandt Hall, Tuks – LIVE on SuperSport 10)
Round 7 vs UJ (23 Sept, 16:30 @ Rembrandt Hall, Tuks)
By Ruan Bruwer
