Midrand High School netball team coach speaks about success after semis finish
After seeing her netball team make positive strides, Midrand High School coach sets her sight on being District 9 champions next year.
Midrand High School’s netball team has made huge strides in various school competitions under a new coach who took over in 2021.
Their U14, U15 and the first team netball squad’s achievements have been a marvel to watch in recent years, according to their coach Klaryn Blokker.
Speaking to the paper at the school on June 7, Blokker said since she took over, she has managed to assemble a formidable team.
She heaped praise on her players – saying they were talented but worked very hard and diligently.
On May 13, the school’s first team won a one-day tournament held at Centurion Lyttleton Manor High School.
They won six games, including beating their rival school, Noordwyk Secondary School, in a Midrand derby.
Blokker said in semis, they played against Noordwyk Secondary and managed to sneak past them by just one goal.
“We went to the finals and proceeded to win the tournament. We did not necessarily practise to win the tournament but we remain proud of the achievement. It was a hectic day for the players because, between all games, it was intense.”
In the schools’ league, which started in April, the school’s U14, U15, and U16 first teams have progressed to the quarter-finals.
On June 1, the school lost in the semi-finals of the District 9 league, but Blokker remains optimistic that she’s on the right track.
“This is the second year we went through to district quarter-finals. Last year, we lost so this year we are in the top four in the district.
“Last year, we went as far as the quarter-finals which was the first time for us. And we are proud to have reached the semi-finals and hopefully, next year, we will go as far as the finals. I think what also makes me happy is that I know how far we have gone considering where we come from to be where we are now.”
Captain of the Midrand High School team Katini Mciteka said there was pressure because as a team they always want to win every tournament they participate in.
“Even though we were winning, there were games that we did not play well. If the team is not playing well, then the team just came together. And as the captain, I always try to motivate them and give other players a chance to give us words of encouragement.”
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