Amanzimtoti High School sports teacher, Elizabeth Richter was selected for the SA indoor women’s netball team.
This is the second time she has made the cut for the national team, having represented her country in 2012. Unfortunately due to her not being available to play last year, she cannot take her place in the squad.
“I was very excited to be selected again,” said Elizabeth, who would have faced England, New Zealand and Australia in a Tri-Nations tournament in the land of the long white cloud from 15 August to 29 August.
“I’m confident the team will do well. It would have been more of a challenge for me to play against the women who also play outdoor netball,” said the 21-year-old who feels she is still too young to play national.
Her experience of helping the SA team win silver in 2012 however, would have helped with her confidence.
Elizabeth was born in Pretoria and moved to Toti in grade 1. She attended Kuswag Skool from primary school until she matriculated and played first team netball for her school since grade 9.
She was also a prolific swimmer and part of the provincial set-up since the age of 10 until 14 when she quit swimming to focus on netball.
At a level two swimming champs, Elizabeth claimed three gold medals to cap her career in the pool.
Netball has claimed all her spare time since then. In 2010 at the age of 16, she was part of two KZN action outdoor teams, the school’s first team and KZN action indoor team. “That was a hectic year for me,” she said.
In 2013 she was selected for the KZN U19 team and in 2014, the KZN U21 team.
“In 2015 I took a break year, as I had been part of the provincial set-up since 13. I participated in the SA trials last year and at an inter-provincial tournament in February, I was invited to join the squad.”
Her flexibility to play any position on the court contributed to her selection, although she rates goal defense or goal attack as her favourites.
Travelling is on Elizabeth’s to-do list in the near future, however she would like to continue playing netball.
