Newly appointed coach of SPAR Proteas Jenny van Dyk said she is aware of the new task ahead of her and wants the team to get into the culture of winning and having a netball identity.
Van Dyk was selected as head coach of Netball South Africa, after the post became vacant last year after former coach Norma Plummer stepped down.
She has an impeccable CV and has been hailed as one of the best local coaches and the most successful coach in the domestic Telkom Netball League.
She has won five consecutive titles with the Tshwane based outfit, the Jaguars, has led the University of Pretoria netball team to a few finals and titles in the Varsity Cup.
Prior to her appointment, she was with the under 21 team who are scheduled to play in the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 Qualifiers in March.
President of Netball South Africa, Cecilia Molokwane, said they made the right choice, adding that Van Dyk was selected following a meticulous process of reviewing applications and conducting rounds of interviews,
“This process of appointing a head coach for the SPAR Proteas has not been easy.
We wanted to ensure that we do a proper job in selecting the best person for the role.
We needed to be thorough in the selection process, from interviews right through to appointment.
A suitable candidate for us is an individual who can assist as we rebuild the team and begin to compete,” said Molokwane.
With senior players retiring, Molokwane is confident that the coach will help rebuild the team and introduce new players.
Van Dyk was given a four-year contract and will lead the team to the 2027 Netball World Cup in Australia, among other tournaments and will be assisted by former SPAR Proteas Captain and Maties coach Zanele Mdodana.
The coach said she’s ready to build a new team.
“It is a fantastic feeling and quite an honour to be bestowed the responsibility to lead the national team.
I have waited so long to don this green blazer.
I am also happy to be joined by Zanele, she has something that sets her soul on fire, and I believe that we will be a formidable team.
As a coach for the SPAR Proteas, my objective is to continue from where my predecessor left off, we need to build a winning team, to follow a proudly South African culture of netball,” said the coach.
The coach’s first assignment is to assemble a group of thirty players and finalize the team that she will begin to work with as soon as possible. Netball South Africa will communicate dates for training camp at the proper time.
