Varsity Netball is one of the last tournaments of the year, and it’s one that everyone looks forward to, eagerly awaiting the queens of campus netball to be crowned.
Although most of the players have been taking part in other competitions in the year, including representing the country in various international and continental competitions. The age restriction will also introduce new players to us as some of the players who have now hit the 25-year-old mark make way to the stands or the bench.
Here are the three things that will make this season the best yet:
National flavour to hungry UP-Tuks
The Varsity Netball title has evaded UP-Tuks since the inception of the tournament and this year, they will work on all they have to get their hands on the cup. Tuks have a number of players who have donned Protea colours They have experience that can help them get to the final and maybe walk away with the elusive honours this year. After having Gauteng not winning the main title at the Spar National Championships a couple of weeks ago, this might be the title they are looking forward to getting their hands on.
World Cup winners
NWU-Pukke had the most players in the squad that represented South Africa and ended up taking the gold medal after beating Jamaica in the finals. But most importantly, Pukke have Dorette Badenhorst. Not only did she lead the USSA team to victory but she is now the assistant coach to Spar Proteas consulting coaches, Norma Plummer and Nicole Cusack. These are World Cup winning coaches, the experience they share with Badenhorst will be valuable to help Pukke defend their Varsity Netball title.
Young blood
Nothing is more exciting than seeing lesser-known players make names for themselves against experienced players on this stage. A number of young players who will be taking to the court in the fourth edition of Varsity Netball will not only look to do well for their team but they will also be hoping to receive a call-up to the squad for next year’s World Youth Netball Cup in Botswana. We have seen a number of these players at the Spar National Championship a few weeks ago, amazing talent and exciting, creative players who will set the Varsity Netball stages alight.
By Busisiwe Mokwena, Daily Sun and Sunday Sun Sport Reporter
