Netball wonder girl keeps shining
Finding the ideal balance between academic, sporting, social and family life remains one of her big challenges, but like everything, she just takes it in her stride.
Benoni teenage netball wonder girl Jamie van Wyk has taken another significant step towards realising her dream of playing for the Proteas.
With the pace at which her netball career is progressing right now, that may be accomplished a lot sooner than most had anticipated.
The Northvilla resident, who is currently a first year B-Admin student at the University of Pretoria (Tuks), was part of the Tshwane u-21 team which beat Dr Kenneth Kaunda (North West) 37-34 in the recent Spar national netball finals at Wits.
Not only was the former St Dunstan’s College learner named as the best overall u-21 player of the tournament but capped a superb week by being selected for the SA u-21 squad.
The oldest of three talented Van Wyk sporting siblings is still eligible to play at u-19 level, having made the grade at the recent national championships in that age group but has now also caught the eyes of the u-21 selectors.
“To be selected for the SA u-21 squad has been one of my goals for this year. I have worked extremely hard to get selected and it’s paying off. It is an amazing honour to be selected,” said Jamie.
Her preferred position is goal defence but no stranger to playing goalkeeper either.
“It was a great honour and an amazing experience to not only play at a higher level, but in an older age group. The final was extremely stressful, but playing with such an incredibly talented team under coach Jenni-Lee Delport made everything achievable,” she added.
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“I have to use my time wisely. I believe in a good healthy balance to be able to play the sport I love. There is a real family feel when one is part of a team or a squad, but the unconditional support of my family has never gone unnoticed.”
