After a tense 45-44 victory over NMMU in Port Elizabeth on Monday, UP-Tuks find themselves fourth on the Varsity Netball log and poised to climb higher.
This is something very similar to what the Tuks Football team managed to do, which now poses as an inspiration to this ladies to continue succeeding.
Coach Jenny van Dyk said that although players like Shadine van der Merwe, Melissa Myburgh and Cleopatra Kgoputso were the stars on the night it was a fantastic team effort which got them home against a dangerous Madibaz side.
The UP-Tuks mentor believes that the best is still to come from her team who still have much more to give.
Wing attack Kgoputso said that it was a massive confidence boost to come away with a victory in such a tight game away from home.
“It was a lively, welcoming atmosphere down at the NMMU Indoor Sport Centre. Yet it was intense because it was a make or break situation for us. Winning is always great, regardless of winning with a single point, a win is a win. Being placed in the fourth position is a great achievement, but not the end goal as we are aiming for first position,” she said.
There are high hopes placed on the Tuks team and with three more games left anything is possible, Van Dyk believes strongly in her team and she knows they are highly capable of taking more victories and like any other coach she would love to see her team being the first team to pick up the Varsity Netball Trophy.
With practice and dedication this team can go far, expectation and excitement is now burned into the hearts of their supporters and fan base.
One of TuksNetball supporters, Mandy De Araujo , a former National Soccer goalkeeper, commented: “I have strong faith in this mighty strong team that they can bring home this trophy especially after just beating NMMU a team that was placed higher than them in this competition. Tuks have caught up nicely and I believe that they can bring home more victories.”
A change in direction has changed the whole atmosphere for the team when they arrived home and hopefully this victory will push them to continue with a successful streak. The team is fired-up to take on UJ on Monday on home ground.
By Gabriella Ferreira
