In a move that has sent ripples of excitement through the world of netball in South Africa, Jenny van Dyk has been appointed as the new head coach of the #SparProteas, the South African national netball team. With such an illustrious career as both a player and a coach, Van Dyk brings a wealth of experience and a winning mentality to her new role, igniting hopes for a golden era in South African netball.
PDBY had the opportunity to sit down with Van Dyk as she shared her overall thoughts and feelings regarding when she found out about her newest milestone. “The first thought was ‘Oh my goodness, be careful what you wish for, ’cause it might come true!’… It immediately excited me, but I [also] just got filled with this great sense of responsibility,” said Van Dyk.
Van Dyk’s appointment marked a significant moment for the #SparProteas, who have long been striving for greatness on the international stage. Her impressive résumé includes coaching stints with top clubs such as TuksNetball and Gauteng Jaguars, and it has even been reported that Netball South Africa has not set a mandate for her. This raises the question of whether this would make it easier for Van Dyk to apply her coaching principles without feeling too much pressure. “The pressure we put on ourselves is enough… I spoke to our internal team, and I said, ‘The most pressure we’ll feel is not from the people out there, it’s not from the president, it’s not from World Netball, it’s not from the team, it’s from what we’ve put on ourselves.”
The #SparProteas are currently ranked as the fifth best team on the World Netball rankings. With this impressive feat in mind, PDBY asked Van Dyk about the possible challenges she has identified in the team. She explained that the South African team has not played enough games against other African nations. This should be addressed to “give [these teams] the necessary respect” and to ensure that the #SparProteas are familiar with how they play. Although rankings are also important, Van Dyk expressed the importance of focusing on the scoreboard before looking at the rankings. “Once we start winning, the ranking will improve by itself.”
For South African netball, Van Dyk represents more than just a coach – she embodies the spirit of perseverance and excellence that defines the #SparProteas. Her journey from a young girl with a dream to a trailblazing coach is a testament to the power of determination and hard work. The main insight she will bring to the team is discipline. “Once you have a disciplined approach, it really makes a difference because it’s not about the emotion, it’s about the action.”
Under Van Dyk’s guidance, the #SparProteas are poised to reach new heights on the global stage. With her strategic acumen and commitment to player development, she aims to mould the team into a formidable force capable of challenging the world’s best, especially during the upcoming Commonwealth Games and the Netball World Cup. “To me, getting [to] the podium is obviously our first goal,” Van Dyk declared with unwavering confidence. “If we can push and everybody works towards it with the same urgency and intensity, then we’ll definitely go for it… Once we can get our minds around doing the hard stuff, it becomes a reality, and it becomes possible.”
Van Dyk had a few words for young girls in the UP community who would like to see themselves following in her footsteps as one of South Africa’s netball coaching geniuses. “I think that growth might be something that every single student at Tuks [should have] – it’s an important part of who you are… It’s more about your attitude and willingness to work hard [because] if you work hard, it will happen.”
Fans and observers alike are eagerly anticipating the Van Dyk era, hopeful that her leadership will usher in a new period of success for South African netball. As the #SparProteas embark on this exciting chapter, one thing is certain: with Jenny van Dyk at the helm, the future has never looked brighter for the team.
