Statistics makes for interesting reading, but that is it. It can’t change the outcome of any netball game and that is why the coach of the Jaguars’ Jenny van Dyk does not want to reflect on what has happened in the past.

For the past three years, the Jaguars has won the National Netball League. So, it is to be expected that they are again going to be in the mix. The Telkom League will be played in Bloemfontein from 14-27 October.

Van Dyk, who is also TuksNetball’s head coach foresee it to be one of the toughest challenges local netball players ever faced. In the past, the tournament has been played over a few weeks. Now it is 14 days. So, the two teams who qualify for the final will end up playing 12 games.

According to Van Dyk player management will be of cardinal importance.

“It helps that I have a squad of 14 players, but still you can’t afford any players to overexert themselves. It increases the risk of them getting injured. I want the players to progressively play better with each game. If we should contest the final, they should be at their best. It is going to be a challenge,” she explained during a recent interview.

Van Dyk ascribed the Jaguars’ dominance in the national netball league to the fact that they are the one team everyone wants to beat.

“That is definitely to our advantage as we never get to play an easy game. The players are always under pressure. There is never an easy victory. The good thing about it is that it forces them to think about the game. One of the biggest mistakes any coach can make is to over coach players in other ‘spoonfeeding’ them,” she said.

The former Tuks player, Izette Griesel, will be captaining the Jaguars. She is the only national player in the team. Last year she played for the Proteas during Netball World Cup Tournament in England. Griesel has been praised for her no-nonsense approach to the game.

Marlize de Bruin, who is another former Tuks player, is one of the two vice-captains. She captained the Jaguars to last year’s Telkom title success. De Bruin’s best quality as a player is her work ethic on the court.

Lungile Mthembu (Tuks) is the other vice-captain. The ‘invisible player’ is how she views herself.

“Wing defence is sorts of a behind the scenes player. It is never about being flamboyant; however, it is an important position. You are up against the wing attack which a vital position in any team. My role is to do the dirty work. To ‘eliminate’ the wing attack usually by sticking or to whatever other means possible. If my play leads to vital intercepts, I consider it as a job well done,” Mthembu remarked.

The Jaguars team for the tournament are: Venetia Grobler, Mbalenhle Ntuli, Chantelle Swart, Danielle van Zyl, Alice Kennon, Izette Griesel, Tracey Mthunzi, Marlize de Bruin, Lungile Mthembu, Jamie van Wyk, Nozipho Ntshangase, Melodine Jacobs, Akosua Mensah, Jasmine Ziegelmeier.

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