The burning ambition of the North West Flames this season is to win their first Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League title.
This desire was given its first spark last Friday when the team, led by the new coach, Elsje Jordaan and captain, Elsunet du Plessis, received their official North West Flames blazers at a special ceremony at the NWU Sports Village.
The Flames will play their first matches of the new season against the Western Cape Southern Stings on Saturday, 12 May and Limpopo Baobabs on Sunday, 13 May at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena.
The Flames, who achieved a runners-up spot in last year’s tournament after going down to the Gauteng Jaguars in the final, will look to go one step further and lift the title under the new leadership in the form of Jordaan.
Jordaan’s acquisition is a big step in the right direction and her experience and tactical nuance should serve the North West women well in this year’s tournament.
The president of North West netball, Helene Botha, welcomed Jordaan back to the district where she first made her name as a provincial u.15 player under the former’s tutorship.
‘It is great to have Elsje back with us and I wish the North West Flames the best under her leadership. It is a huge honour for you to represent the province and the Flames.
‘When you put on the jacket, be proud. I wish you a stunning tournament where you represent the North West Flames with a great sense of personal pride,’ she added.
The North West Flames have a mix of youth and experience on their side this season with regulars like the centre, Romé Dreyer; the wing defence, Chanté Bester and the goal defence, Monique Reyneke looking to further their potential this year.
Newcomers like the goal shooter, Anja Esterhuizen and goal attack, Jessica du Plessis should also provide enough firepower and could be two surprise packages up front.
Squad:
Shooters: Anja Esterhuizen, Claudia van den Berg, Bianca Leyleveld, Elsunet du Plessis, Jessica du Plessis.
Centre Court: Kgomotso Itlhabanyeng, Romé Dreyer, Chanté Bester, Didintle Keebine, Luyanda Khumalo, Alicia Oosthuizen.
Defence: Monique Reyneke, Bernike van Dyk, Maronel Scherman, Michelle Segal.
Non-travelling reserves: Janneke van Dyk, Jomari Myburgh and Jolanie Holtzhausen.
Head coach: Elsje Jordaan.
Assistant coach: Zola Starke.
Manager: Olivia Basson.
Medical: Sumari Brand/Anita van der Lingen-Venter
General manager: Granny Moroole