For the love of netball

Five of the Erongo-based netball players made it into the preliminary squad of 15 players that were selected for the national U/21 team during trials at Windhoek High School.The squad members are Cheree Brits (Erongo), Godlove Victor, Loide Kanyolo, Athiella Mbaha, Uapandera Muundjua, Marne du Toit, Aila Andreas, Elizabeth Besser (Erongo), Hope Kazondovi, Rosa Gowases (Erongo), Grace Matyayi, Muhimise Jaepa, Tjikarerera Uamburu, Usuta Muvangua (Erongo), Desdamona Tjirera, and Megan von Lieres (Erongo). This squad will be trimmed to 12 players after a training camp to be hosted in Windhoek from 4 to 11 March. The final 12 players will then depart on 12 March to represent Namibia at the Netball World Cup qualifiers taking place in Pretoria from 16 to 24 March.Aiming for the World CupAn estimated 21 national teams will participate in this tournament to decide who will be part of the U/21 Netball World Cup, which will be held in Gibraltar in 2025.The Namibian coaching staff consists of Jones Musambani (head coach), Veranda Kamberipa (assistant coach), David Tutaleni (assistant coach), and Rudolf Namaseb (strength and conditioning coach).Musambani identified the shooting aspect of Namibia’s attackers as one of the areas the team needs to work on.“They need to be accurate because rebounds are tightly contested, and in South Africa, every ball you miss is a turnover for them. If you allow this to happen, you will lose the match.” He intends to keep the selected players fit until the day of the training camp. “Only then will we start looking closely at the various departments and the strong and weak points of players, and our game plan. We need to play a lot of friendly games before our departure.”Tough assignmentErongo netball starlet Ususta Muvangua said that getting selected for the U/21 national team was a demanding and competitive process filled with anxious and stressful moments.“It was difficult for me to stay focused during the trials because of exhaustion and self-doubt. I am committed to working hard and giving it my all to help the team qualify for the U/21 World Cup in 2025. To do that, I have to increase my performance, consistency, sharpen my tactical awareness, and polish my technical abilities, like ball control and passing accuracy.”Erongo Netball Association (ERNA) secretary general, Deseline !Auchas, said that the entire region was proud of the achievements of its players.“We know each one of you deserves to be in the final 12 that will be selected, and we back you all the way.”She also thanked everybody who helped ERNA with transport and accommodation for the players and made it possible for them to represent the region.Upcoming events include the Governor’s Cup from 1to 3 March in Omaruru, the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup from 29 March to 1 April in Gobabis, and the Chairpersons Annual Pre-Season Cup from 6 to 7 April. The league is scheduled to start on 13 April.

For the love of netball

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Republikein 2025-05-01

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For the love of netball

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Republikein 2025-05-01

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