Kovsies ready to thrive in front of home crowd

With the last round-robin matches of the 2024 Varsity Netball tournament set to take place at the Callie Human Hall in Bloemfontein on Sunday 22 September and Monday 23 September, UFS Kovsies are ready to dish up something special in front of their home crowd. 

Traditionally packed to capacity, the venue’s electric atmosphere adds an extra layer of excitement for the team, says Spar Protea and assistant coach Karla Pretorius. 

“The support we get from our fans is like having an eighth player on the court.”  

Spar Protea captain and assistant coach Khanyisa Chawane, KC for short, agrees. 

“There’s nothing like the energy from the crowd, it pushes us to give our best.” 

Captain Refiloe Nketsa adds her voice to the chorus. 

“It’s an honour to play in front of our home crowd. Their support means everything to us.” 

Kovsies have one foot in the semi-final thanks to their position in the top four on the log. Not that they plan to lift their foot from the pedal, on the contrary, they thrive under pressure as the team believes it’s the fuel that drives them.  

On the court, they’re not just playing to win, they are playing to build a lasting legacy. With a record of four Varsity Netball titles, former national coaches at the helm and a high-performance environment, the Kovsies are primed for another thrilling Varsity Netball campaign. 

Pretorius says she is excited to watch the younger players rise to the occasion. 

“I cannot wait to see what they achieve in the future.” 

According to KC, this Kovsies team has the potential to make history with any of the players who could one day wear the Protea jersey. 

On the tough environment they take to court, Pretorius says: 

“Our athletes are motivated by pressure. We prepare them not just to handle it, but to thrive because of it. It’s not about avoiding pressure but using it to sharpen our focus.” 

This takes a lot of training and on the UFS campus, every session is held in a high-performance environment. The training camps on campus take a holistic approach, mirroring the professional demands of national-level competition.  

“It’s about passing the torch to the next generation, we want them to carry forward the legacy of Kovsie netball,” says KC.  

Nketsa believes the team’s preparation goes beyond drills and strategies.  

“Our training camps have been crucial in defining our purpose. The legacy of this team, combined with the guidance from our coaches, gives us immense confidence. Pressure isn’t something we fear, it’s something we embrace.” 

All the UFS bumper fixtures HERE.

by Jurgen Smith