Netball for 2009
The 2009 season proved to be a very challenging yet exiting oneand our teams went from strength to strength. As always, the season started early – only a few weeks into the first term – with fitness and skills training. The Saturday morning fitness sessions, hosted by Mrs. Mcleod and Mr. Potgieter proved to be very valuable as the season unfolded. This formed an excellent foundation for all the team to build on and the enthusiasm the girls showed was carried throughout the season.
V.P. fielded the following teams in the 2008 season:
U/19 A, B and C
U/16 A, B and C
U/14 A and B
We were fortunate to keep the core of our successful 2008 U19A team going into the 2009 season. This balanced well with some of the younger players coming through the system. Our season started early with a tour to Stellenbosch during the April holidays. Playing against some of the country’s top schools proved to be a learning experience. Although our opposition were the likes of Hoërskool Bloemhof and Hoërskool Landboudal (both ranked as top teams in the country) our girls never let up and always gave of their best. Our statistics for the tour do not reflect the courage and determination the girls displayed. (Played 6 ; Won 1) I would like to take a moment to thank the girls for their enthusiasm and good behaviour for the duration of this tour. It was truly a pleasure touring with them.
As for the rest of the season, this talented u/19 A-team had some very good results of which I, as a coach, am very proud. Beating teams like Andrew Rabie and very narrowly losing to D.F. Malherbe this year, shows the kind of character the girls had. At this point I would also like to mention the u/19 B-team. This team, very quietly, showed the rest of our teams how to play good netball. I was indeed proud to be watching their games this season.
Our u/19 C team was coached by Mrs. Sandra van Niekerk. This team really did us proud and during the course of the
season they outplayed some tough opposition beating Alexander Road 14 – 7 and Westering 25 – 0.
Our junior teams also did us proud this year. An exiting prospect is the talent displayed by some of our u/14 and u/16 players making their way through the ranks. A shortage of coaches meant that we made use of the services of three outside coaches: Mrs Sandra Coetzee, Miss Khanyisa Fundini and Miss Louise Ferreira. I would at this point like to thank them for their hard work and dedication throughout the season. Also a word of thanks to Mrs Colleen Martindale and Mrs Michelle Brauteseth who managed these sides.
To end this report, I would like to thank all the players for their hard work and dedication during the season. You all contributed to a very successful season and all the coaches are looking forward to the same enthusiasm next year. As coach of the u/19 A and B-sides, I would like to give a special thought to my group of players. I am looking forward to next season and know I will be met by the same enthusiasm as this year. A VERY BIG THANK YOU must go to Mrs. Estelle McLeod for all her support and encouragement. Her support to our teams was much appreciated. A word of thanks also to Mrs Lawrette Bloem who helped us out with umpiring on a Saturday. It was really a pleasure to share the love for the sport with such special people.
Elmien du Preez (Coach)
