Plenty of action for SA netball teams

THERE has been plenty of activity in South African netball in the past eight months, starting with the SPAR International Challenge Series against Wales in Durban in June.

The three-test series featured the SPAR Proteas and the U21 team, known as the SPAR Baby Proteas, playing eighth-ranked Wales.

South Africa achieved a whitewash at both senior and U21 level.

Coach Norma Plummer used the Challenge Series to try out some new players and was able to use all 14 members of her squad.

Plummer said she was delighted with the work ethic in the South African team.

“They also respond very well when you give them feedback between the quarters. Every now and then they’d go into a dip, but those are things that we can continue to work on.”

In August, hundreds of netball players descended on Durban for the annual SPAR national championships.

There were some nervous moments for the organisers when the venue, Hoy Park, was flooded after torrential rains in Durban.

However, the courts were ready for action on Monday August 8, and 22 senior teams and 17 U-21 teams fought it out for provincial honours.

For the second consecutive year, teams were selected on a provincial rather than a district basis. The move is aimed at raising standards of play at the championships.

After a few lean years, Western Province proved to be the team of the tournament. They were unbeaten in the round robin stage and beat Free State 50-35 in the final.

North West retained their U21 title, beating Gauteng in a thrilling match that went into extra time.

Almost immediately after the national championships, the SPAR Proteas left for Australia and New Zealand for the inaugural Sanzea Quad Series tournament, featuring Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa.

After matches in Australasia, the quad series moved to Durban in last month and England this month.

Although South Africa, ranked fifth in the world, failed to win any of their matches, there was a marked improvement in their play and they came agonisingly close to beating thirdranked England in Durban.

In October, it was back to Durban for the Diamond Challenge, featuring the SPAR Proteas, the South African President’s team, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The coaches of all four teams agreed the tournament was of great importance for the development of netball on the continent.

Plummer said international competition was essential if teams were to maintain or improve their rankings.

South Africa retained their title with an emphatic 68-34 win over Zimbabwe in the final.

The World Youth Netball Championships take place in Gaborone, Botswana in July, and the SPAR Baby Proteas have been hard at work preparing for the tournament.

They also played three matches against England U21 during the quad series in Durban.