SA netball making great strides

Den Dekker, who was captain of the Australian team that beat Debbie Hamman’s South African team in the final of the 1995 netball world championships, was speaking ahead of the coming international series between a South Africa invitation team and the Australian Team of Excellence in Potchefstroom from October 12 to 18.

“The South Africans have become very competitive,” said Den Dekker.

“They are playing a harder style of one-on-one defence, which is making it more difficult for us.”

Den Dekker, the head coach of the Netball Centre of Excellence in Canberra, said the challenge series was important for Australia’s future stars.

The coach said she would be travelling with a squad of 14 players instead of the normal 12, because of the need to identify players ready to join the senior Australian team.

Australian Team of Excellence: Ashleigh Brazill, Courtney Bruce, Beryl Friday, Hulita Haukinima, Saral Klau, Cody Lange, Maddy Proud, Kate Shimmin, Verity Simmons, Kaylia Stanton, Amy Steel, Numi Tupia, Georgie Virgo, Chloe Watson. Coach: Michelle den Dekker.

– Sapa