UCT start their Varsity Netball campaign with a tough game against their familiar rivals Maties on Saturday afternoon at NMMU in Port Elizabeth.
An early victory will do wonders for team morale and overall encouragement, given their 10th place out of 12 in the USSA games earlier this year. However, with a fair amount of the university players chosen to play for the Proteas in the world youth championships currently underway in Glasgow, the playing-field will be significantly levelled for the first few rounds of fixtures.
In addition to their USSA shortcomings, UCT have also had to adjust to a new coach, Stephanie Duursema, who only very recently joined the team, bringing with her a fresh vision and coaching techniques.
However, this has neither derailed nor deterred the team’s preparations. While closely affiliated with the label ‘underdogs’, the side still holds a vast amount of experience.
Highly notable is Fortuna Bakula, who featured in the SA U-21 side that competed in Singapore earlier this year. Along with Lisa Mbombo, Bronwyn Bodley and captain Asanga Mehana, who play for the Western Province netball team, she will provide invaluable depth and experience to the side.
Wing Attack Nadine Adonis and Goal Defence Jessica Munda expressed their excitement about the competition.
Adonis said: “It’s my first time playing at this level so I’m definitely excited, and a little anxious because I’m not sure what to expect. But I know that as a team we’ll step out on the court and do our best. We have a solid team because many of the girls have been playing together for a while so we have strong teamwork”.
While Adonis agrees that they can be considered underdogs, she looks at the tournament as enabling them to remove the label. Similarly, in terms of the support base at UCT, which she has often found lacking, a tournament of this size can repair that.
“We’re very excited to get UCT involved at our home games” she said.
Munda commented: “I think it is extremely significant playing in a tournament of this magnitude as UCT netball will get a lot of exposure to the students of UCT and the public. Also, playing in the tournament will help test our abilities, and improve our overall performance as a team.”
Most of the games will be broadcast live on Supersport, which is a relatively new occurrence for almost all of the girls.
Adonis said: “It’s a little intimidating to think that thousands of people are watching you and seeing how you perform.” However, already in the determined mindset, but once you step on court all of that goes away, you’re immediately in the game, focused!”
And similarly, she looks at the televised aspect of the tournament favourably because the recordings can be used for them to look back on and improve their game, and friends can family can be sure not to miss any of the action in the away games.
By Megan Kinnaird
