Varsity Netball 2022 competition returns to the courts as NWU-Potchefstroom takes on UJ at UP-Tuks in Pretoria for the first match on September 17.
This follows after the competition was cancelled for 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, while in 2021 it was crammed into a 10-day tournament in Stellenbosch.
Other teams competing are defending champions UFS-Kovsies, UWC, TUT, Madibaz, UP-Tuks and Maties.
The eight teams will play each other over seven rounds on three consecutive weekends, starting with three days of action from September 17 to 19 at UP-Tuks in Pretoria.
The second weekend, from September 25 to 26, will see the squads travel to NWU in Potchefstroom as UFS plays host for the last two rounds between October 2 and 3.
The semi-finals take place on October 10 and the final on October 17. The venues will be announced.
Kovsies are looking for the fifth Varsity Netball champion’s title. They beat Maties 55 – 39 in the 2021 finals.
Kovsies coach Burta de Kock said her team is ready to rock and roll in the defence of their title.
“Our preparations have been going well and I’m extremely proud of all the hard work the players have been putting in. We know it’s not going to be an easy task and in the end, it is going to come down to who executes the basics the best.”
De Kock will prepare the team for the competition with support from current and former players including Protea players like Karla Pretorius, Maryke Holtzhausen and Protea squad member Khanyisa Chawane who Kovsies have brought in as attacking coach.
De Kock said: “We are truly blessed here in the Free State to have access to former and current Protea players who can apply their knowledge and skills.
“It is important to develop players holistically and this is achieved by working hard right from the beginning. Competitions like Varsity Netball are where we start by giving players the wings to progress to district, then provincial and ultimately the national set-up,” De Kock concluded.
All 31 matches of the 2022 Varsity Netball competition will be broadcasted live on SuperSport, including the final.
