Swift success for netball team
In the past 17 months this academy has reached numerous goals.
Swifts Netball Academy is making headway in local netball. The club was started in May last year with a mere three players and has grown to 65 players in different age groups.
Wanting to share her passion for netball Natalie Koekemoer, better known as Coach Nats, started the academy, wanting to create a space where anyone could play the sport, no matter their gender, age, skill set, or experience – a place where teammates become family.
Growing up in Johannesburg, Natalie played and coached netball provincially and nationally, and even toured overseas.
As the academy grew, her boyfriend Tiaan van Staden, now known as Coach Babes, started to help with the coaching.
Tiaan also plays netball when he is not playing rugby for the Warriors 1st team rugby.
In the past 17 months this academy has reached numerous goals.
In season four of the Suid-Natal night league, Swifts entered five teams and Spicy Swifts walked away with silver medals.
Four of the academy players, including Natalie, Chandré Bester, Nkule Khuzwayo and Alexis White were selected for the senior ladies’ KZN Super League.
At a recent netball tournament held at Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre, Swifts Netball Academy entered three ladies over 35 teams and one mixed team.
Although they did not make it to the finals they ensured some tough competition.
Two 0/14 players, Alexis and Michaela Steyn, were selected to play at Bokkie Week, while Corné Klooster played for the KZN Dolphins.
It goes to show that with the right leadership and hard work, nothing is impossible.
Natalie firmly believes ‘whatever will be, will be’ and she goes out of her way to always help others.
She is an outstanding netball player, an even better coach, and an inspiration for young girls.
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