Netball South Africa has announced its squad for the upcoming FAST5 Netball World Series, and the final 10-member team is ready to face the world’s best in Christchurch, New Zealand from 9 – 10 November, 2024.
This year’s selection process prioritised a balance of youth and experience, a strategic decision informed by last year’s edition. NSA Director of Selections Ivy Khumalo expressed confidence in the selection.
“The key factors we used in selecting this year’s FAST5 were based on what we experienced when we went to the same competition last year,” says Khumalo.
“We took a relatively young team drawn from the Under 23s, and we saw how the other teams looked. The feeling was that had we taken a balanced team with a bit of maturity and more experience, we could have achieved something. So the selected teams reflect that blend of youth and experience.”
Netball SA Director of Selections, Ivy Khumalo
Khumalo highlighted the impressive performance of the younger players, who are pushing the boundaries of the sport and setting the stage for South Africa’s future dominance in netball.
“It was very tough [to select] because the youngsters are overshadowing the seniors, which is good because we have our eyes on the future,” she says. “We have youthful squads that will compete and dominate for many years. Our focus is exposing the young players to these competitions with the future in mind.”
South Africa’s team has been steadily gaining international recognition, having featured in the first-ever Netball World Cup hosted on African soil, in Cape Town earlier this year.
Khumalo emphasised the teams’ growing confidence and understanding of the demands of international competition. The FAST5 format demands quick thinking and decisive action, and Khumalo believes the selected squad possesses the necessary attributes to excel in this fast-paced environment.
“For FAST5, you need quick-thinking players and players that are decisive on the court: it’s a fast and quick game, and one has to decide now; otherwise, you lose. I’m positive that this year we’ll return with gold.”
South Africa achieved its best-ever FAST5 Netball World Series result in 2022, securing a silver medal after a hard-fought final against Australia, and they will be determined to climb higher on the podium this time around.
The Proteas have talented goal shooter and goal attack Rolene Streutker, who had a stint with Australia’s Melbourne Mavericks, while Boitumelo Mahloko – who made her debut against Namibia in 2022 – will also be key for the Proteas. The international stage is not new to her, as she has represented South Africa at U16, U20 and U21.
NSA President Cecilia Molokwane believes participation in international competitions is crucial for the players’ exposure. “We believe corporate support can unlock that potential, and together, we can create a winning formula for South Africa.”
Netball SA Squad for the FAST5 Netball World Series in Christchurch, New Zealand on 9 and 10 November, 2024
Rolene Streutker (GS) Mangaung
Zandre Smith (GS) Buffalo City
Kamogelo Maseko (GA) Mangaung
Lefébre Rademan (GA) Tshwane
Shannon Bartlett (C) Cape Winelands
Amber Coraizin (C) Cape Town
Sanmarie Visser (GD) DKK
Boitumelo Mahloko (GD) JHB
Ané Retief (GK) Mangaung
Syntiche Kabuya (GK) Cape Winelands
Non-Travelling Reserves
Tarle Mathe (C) JHB
Nichole Taljaard (GA) Cape Winelands
Team Management
Martha Mosoahle-Samm (Head Coach) JHB
Erin Burger (Assistant Coach) Tshwane
Olga Nsele (Manager) uMgungundlovu
Narita du Toit (Physio) Tshwane
Original Copy: Netball South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The FAST5 women’s national team during the 2023 FAST5 Netball World Series. Netball SA has announced the names of the team who are ready to face the world’s best in the FAST5 Netball World Series in Christchurch, New Zealand, from 9-10 November, 2024. Photo: Michael Bradley Photography
Photo 2 Caption: National FAST5 Centre, Amber Coraizin, in action during the 2023 FAST5 Netball World Series. Photo: Michael Bradley Photography
