Mental toughness is one aspect of their game that Kovsies are focusing on most before they take on NWU-Pukke in the final of the Varsity Netball tournament on Monday in Potchefstroom.
Kovsies coach Burta de Kock’s side upped their mental focus for the semifinal against NMMU after they lost in the last group game against the Madibaz.
They secured their spot in the prestigious final by showing great character in the absence of some key players and the coach is adamant that her side will have to produce more of the same if they are to be crowned champions.
“This whole week we are working with the girls mentally. They made a huge mental shift in the semifinal after losing in the group game against NMMU. We want to make sure that we take that same focus into the final against Puk in Potchefstroom. We will need it to come out on top,” De Kock said.
It will be a well rested Kovsies squad that steps onto the court as the University of the Free State’s coaches staff realise what a tough competition the Varsity Netball tournament is. Therefore Kovsies managed their players optimally to ensure that all of them are well prepared for the challenge.
“The girls have put their bodies on the line and we have to give them time to recover. We only really started practising mid week and just had a run around on court with some of the replacements that haven’t got that much game time. Closer to the weekend we will start with some of our more game related practice sessions,” De Kock added.
The coach wasn’t shy to laud her players for their upbeat approach to the whole tournament, especially as it is being held the same time as exams at the University of the Free State. Many of the players like Ané Botha, Iselma Parkin, Lauren-Lee Christians and Carine Terblanche are writing exams while still preparing for the final, which in itself is a huge ask.
“Their are many challenges for the girls, but they’ve risen to the occasion. We have players who are writing exams Monday on game day and who only drive through to Potchefstroom later that day. That isn’t ideal, but the players have such a positive approach to it all that we are really confident going into the final,” De Kock concluded.
