Coach to leave little to chance

The national netball squad has been streamlined for continuity and consistency, according to head coach Elsje Jordaan (above), ahead of the final trials for the Commonwealth Games.

An 18-member provisional squad would get together on January 10 for trials, Jordaan revealed yesterday.

The final Proteas team would then regroup for a camp ahead of the third and fourth legs of the Quad Series campaign in London and Joburg later next month, in the build-up to the Games in Gold Coast in April.

With Jordaan having recently replaced former head coach Norma Plummer, who remained a consultant coach, she hoped to give a select group of players a shot at a place in the team.

“It is a small number but that’s the number we agreed to bring in,” Jordaan said.

“We don’t want to make the squad too big, especially after all the work Norma and assistant coach Nicole Cusack have done.

“They more or less know what the standard is and where the players should be, and we wanted to keep a small group so we don’t get a lot of disruptions and are able to continue their good work.”

Rochelle Lawson was unavailable for the trials for personal reasons, while goalshooting prospect Siggie Burger and versatile wing attack Izette Lubbe were both back from injury and would contest for places in the final team for the Games.