Netball | Spar Baby Proteas Ready To Compete in 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar

Gibraltar: The SPAR Baby Proteas are ready to take court and compete in the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar. The last time the junior World Cup took place was eight years ago in Gaborone, (South Africa ended in sixth position) Botswana, with the last event scheduled for Fiji called off due to COVID.

Precious Mthembu

Coach Precious Mthembu assembled her 12-player team including three reserves left South Africa on the 10th of September and made a pit stop in London for two practice matches against Hertfordshire University and Under 21 England.

Coach Mthembu has emphasized the importance of playing these matches as it gave her a good understanding of where her charges are and what they need to work ahead of the competition.

"For us it was particularly important that we play these practice matches because then you get to play different teams, try different combinations and styles. As coaching team with Phumza (Maweni), this gave us a clear indication of what we need to focus on, what we are doing right and so forth. I am proud of my players because they really showed that they can step up and play competitively. The players were also surprised themselves because they realised that they could punch above their own weight," said Precious Mthembu, SPAR Baby Proteas Head Coach.

The team has settled well in Gibraltar and has put in a few training sessions ahead of their opening match on Saturday against Barbados. Mthembu has confirmed that she would still like to get a few practice games under her belt before then with the Cook Island match scheduled for Thursday 18th September.

Player management will be very crucial for the team ahead of the games starting and during tournament and with coaches Mthembu and Maweni having had been here before, the duo understand how important on how this is, and they are mindful of how to manage each player and collectively in a team set up.

Mthembu explains how the team is aware of the dynamics, and no one is seen as younger or older however everyone gets to be seen as a team player.

"We are careful not to look at anyone as the youngest in the team because this might just make them miss the opportunity to step up and do great because their timid, we encourage everyone to be their best and do their best. We have a great crop of leaders in the team such Phophi (Nematangari) and Karla (Victor), they have been able to motivate the rest of the team and keep everyone going.

Mthembu and her charges have set a target for themselves and that is to do very well in their pool, and the second one is to make sure to play better and win the knockout stages with the ultimate goal being to get a podium finish.

South Africa is in pool D with Fiji, Barbados, Malawi, and Trinidad &Tobago.

Fixtures:

Saturday, 20th September 19:00

South Africa v Barbados

Monday, 22nd September 10:00

Trinidad and Tobago v South Africa

Tuesday, 23rd September 17:00

Malawi v South Africa

Wednesday, 24th September 19:00

Fiji v South Africa