Netball teams lack modern rules' knowledge - Vries
OSHAKATI – Namibia netball umpire George Vries on Saturday said the country’s top-flight clubs lack modern knowledge about international netball rules.
He shared this sentiment at Oshakati’s Independence Stadium, where he was amongst the umpires who were in charge of the MTC Namibia Netball Premier League (NNPL) round five games.
According to Vries, NNPL clubs, coaches and players need to undergo netball beginners’ refresher courses in order to familiarise themselves with the modern international rules of the game.
“I have observed a lack of netball rules’ knowledge displayed by players when on court, as well as by their coaches during the games. This is hindering officials who are handling the matches. In some instances, officials have to halt the game to explain to the players why they are being penalised,” he lamented.
The veteran umpire noted that explaining rules do not only apply to northern-based teams, but to all teams competing in the NNPL.
“I think Netball Namibia must introduce refresher courses to enable them to know the rules before starting the league,” he stressed.
“Netball rules have changed, and I can see players who are still glued to non-existing rules. This makes our officiating work very hard during the game,” he added.
Despite Vries slamming the lack of rules’ knowledge shown by clubs, Mighty Gunners Netball Club (NC) head coach Ndapewa David was happy with her players’ performance for the day. She said her players have adjusted themselves to the new netball rules, and all she wants to see now is more points scored in their remaining games. “We are good, and my players have adjusted themselves with the rules. All I want is my goal shooters and attackers to score more goals,” she reiterated.
On Saturday Mighty Gunners defeated Young Stars NC 66-30, while Rebels lost 35-41 to Otjozondjupa NamPol. The last game of the day saw Northern Fly Ballers winning their first-ever league game against Grootfontein by 41-29.
Meanwhile, other NNPL results on Friday at Walvis Bay saw the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) going down 20-43 to Eleven Arrows. On Saturday in the same town, Afrocats won 44-28 against Eleven Arrows, Navy NC lost to NCS by 41-32 and Tigers defeated Blue Waters by 4427.