Free State’s Burta de Kock admits she was slightly surprised to get the call from Netball South Africa, confirming her appointment as the new national netball coach.
De Kock, who took the Free State team to the finals of the SPAR national netball championships in Port Elizabeth earlier this month, told gsport that becoming national coach was always part of a broader vision because its “The cherry on the top”.
She takes over from Marlene Wagner, who resigned during the recent national netball championships after a fallout with NSA.
“My main focus was going to be on umpiring, but this is a huge opportunity for me, and I am very excited”, said de Kock.
De Kock’s appointment is temporary. She will take the SPAR National women’s team to the COSANA Games in Malawi, running from September 10-19, and is hoping to impress NSA enough to be appointed permanently.
The new coach isn’t too concerned that her appointment was sudden, and doesn’t foresee any problems getting the team to knit together as a unit.
“My job is to instill passion in these players and help them make a success of their netball careers. Many of the players also know me personally and have worked with me before, so I’m not too concerned.
At next month’s COSANA Games, de Kock will be assisted by Hazel Gumede of Central Gauteng. The new team manager is Marchelle Maroun of Ethekwini.
The SPAR National Netball team has been playing a series of matches against top provincial teams during 2006.
The third match of the series will be played against the Thunderbirds – Gauteng’s National Netball League team, on 2 September at 6pm at the Walter Sisulu Hall, Randburg Sports Complex, Randburg.
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