The important role of a calm and collected goal shooter in netball was especially prominent in the one-point victory of 37-36 in the clash between the NWU and Maties.
The goal attack from NWU, Jessica Du Plessis, is a newcomer to this year’s Varsity Netball tournament and she is already making her mark on court.
Du Plessisin the matches against Tuks and Maties.
“I didn’t think that I would get the awards because I was not that happy with myself, especially with my performance against Tuks. I put up the shots that needed to be put up but it was quite a surprise to me. I enjoyed being rewarded for my hard work as well as the effort the team put in,” said Du Plessis.
According to Du Plessis the NWU team, who have the bragging rights for being champions for two successive years, said that there is no pressure on them to be successful this year other than their own drive to be crowned as the champions once again.
“We want to win it again. I think that all of us will do what it takes to get it again. The only pressure we can accept is the pressure from ourselves. I don’t think that there is any pressure of failing; that doesn’t seem like us. We as a team hope and pray for the best but also want to peak when the time is right,” said Du Plessis.
Apart from their goal to win this year’s tournament Du Plessis for tournaments to come.
“We know each other very well and if this tournament brings us any closer to one another and lets us get to know each other, that will be great. I don’t think a lot of us are leaving next year. So it would be nice to build on those relationships,” said Du Plessis.
Du Plessis is fond of her NWU teammates and the team spirit.
“I love my team mates. The girls are really supportive of one another and If you make a mistake they are never angry at you. They will always push you further and motivate you to work harder. I think that keeps a player motivated and the team spirit up,” said Du Plessis.
With the NWU team not playing at home, the challenge of travelling might take its toll.
“That is very tough and especially on your body, your own spirit as well as on the team’s. You need to leave class, you constantly get back tired late at night and it is hard when you play a game when your opponents have all their supporters and we don’t have our supporters. It is difficult to compete with the players on court and with the crowd as well but we will make the best of it.”
Du Plessis believes that Dorette Badenhorst’s coaching is a key component in their winning formula.
“I enjoy her a lot. She is quite strict when necessary and she drives us a lot to go for what we want and what the team needs. I think that she is a perfectionistic as well. She allows room for improvement, but you need to work hard and consistently,” said Du Plessis on Badenhorst.
By Raynique Meyer
