Mental strength and the ability to execute a game plan proved vital in the University of the Free State’s (UFS) women’s netball team earning its fifth Varsity Netball title – and lifting one of the most sought-after trophies op South Africa’s university sports scene.
The Kovsies went the extra mile to beat the stubborn University of Johannesburg (UJ) 58 – 55 in extra time of the adrenaline-pumping final played in the packed Callie Human Hall on the UFS’ main campus in Bloemfontein on Monday, 7 October.
Under the tutelage of respected mentor Burta de Kock, the Kovsie championship pedigree prevailed to deal a fatal blow to the UJ’s dream of winning a maiden trophy. Victory saw the reigning champions avenge the 46 – 51 loss suffered against the silver medallist.
The triumphant UFS girls continued the success of their predecessors, who won the championship in 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2021 – thus becoming the most successful university in the history of the Varsity Netball tournament.
De Kock revealed the achievement was the culmination of a refinement of the team’s work ethic, which saw them working on a master plan since November last year to plot their victory.
“We are really humbled and thankful. We started preparing last year November, focusing on being an excellent team. From the start all the players bought in with certain fine-tuning, positional and individual plays.
“We have a bunch of lovely players who never complained. They are disciplined and are in the gym everyday. We prepared as normal, because we did not want anything to change; this gave the opposition the impression that we were nervous.
“We prepared with vibrant urgency and intensity. We had a strategy and tactical plan, with standing positions, defensive structures to be the first on the ball. We have a brilliant attacker, the fittest team, and timing.
“We put extra work on timing because the UJ are good at intercepting. We overplayed them with fake balls. With every ball we lost, there was no playing the blame game. We are looking forward as a team to build a legacy, and continue building on that legacy. We had four stars on our attire and I brought 25 Five Star chocolates for the players.
“After winning, I gave each a Five Star chocolate, and said: ‘Well done, julle. You are a five-star team!’ All glory to God, with the help of support systems surrounding me, and technical team, as well as the players,” De Kock said joyously.
The Kovsie pair of captain Refiloe Nketsa and Rolene Streutker were awarded the coveted accolades of player of the match and player of the tournament, respectively.
