Local netball duo shine for SA
Merilee Temlett and Jordan van der Merwe, won a silver medal at an indoor netball tri-nations competition recently.
TWO Durban North residents were instrumental in helping the South African U19 indoor mixed team earn a silver medal at the Indoor Netball Master Tri-Nations Tournament recently. The tournament, held in Johannesburg, saw New Zealand, Australia and a South African Invitational side competing for glory.
Merilee Temlett and Jordan van der Merwe, who have represented KZN since U12 level competed for the indoor team in both the sixes and sevens tournament. The duo, along with Siyanda Mkhize, were the only three KZN representatives at the tournament in their age group.
The U19 team won silver in the sevens competition and finished third in the sixes tournament.
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“It was great being part of this tournament, it was really tough but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Australia and New Zealand were incredibly competitive and I think it pushed us to lift our games to a whole new level. Jordan and I have known each other since school (Danville Park Girls’ High School) so it was special being able to play alongside her in the tournament,” said Temlett.
While it was Temlett’s first time representing her country, she said her goal now is to make a senior ladies team.
“The mixed team was a great experience but it is quite hard on the body. I’m hoping now to make the ladies team in the future for indoor netball,” she said.
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Her teammate, Jordan, said the tournament was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for her.
“Like Merilee said, the tournament as a whole in both the sixes and sevens was hugely beneficial to us. We didn’t get to train as a team all that much leading up to the competition so to win silver was a super effort. I’m very proud of the team and what we achieved and our coach was great which contributed to our success,” said van der Merwe who was named vice captain of the team.
The local resident said she will now turn her attention to a busy indoor netball season ahead before tackling another competition featuring international teams next year.
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“I’ve been chosen for the U21 indoor netball ladies team for next year where we will be playing Australia, New Zealand and possibly England in Cape Town. I’m really looking forward to that competition and making the province and country proud,” she said.
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