Kingdom Queens benefitting from Precious appointment

Getting Precious Mthembu to take over the coaching reigns at the KwaZulu Natal Kingdom Queens has done wonders for the team.

The opening weekend of the Telkom Netball League has been better than their whole 2021 season.

The Power Week, which began on Freedom Day, was hosted at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban. All 13 teams in the two streams took to the court and had spectators for the first time in two years.

Queens played a total of five matches in the Power Week and finished the weekend in third position on the division two table having won two matches, drawn one and lost two.

Mthembu’s experience as a Proteas player seems to have a positive effect on the players and their fighting spirit.

“Definitely minimising the score compared to what happened last year; that is the biggest aim this year, to minimise the scoreboard and making sure that the girls get the opportunity to play at this level and progressing with each game. We are now third on the log and that’s how we want to start and build from there. Not too many goals -- that would be unrealistic but really just maintain the standard and building from there,” says Mthembu.

She says that she has to work on her players’ match temperament and teach them to stay focused until the last whistle of the game.

“Coaching a team as young as this, I don’t find it to be difficult because it’s something I have been doing for a while, coaching and playing at the same time. It’s something I really enjoy. There are frustrations now and then, you know like when a ball hasn’t been thrown properly or why the ball was not intercepted but it’s a frustration that happens in netball. I just have to try and nurture these girls to be the best they can be,” she says.

The former Kingdom Stars player has been transitioning into coaching and working with experienced Dr Elsje Jordaan at the Baby Proteas, the national Under-21 side. Mthembu has also decided to end her international playing career and will no longer be available for the Proteas in the future.

“Having the medal around my neck last year has made it clear for me that I really need to focus on coaching. But playing in the KZN Super League, that is definitely where I will be but not in the Telkom Netball League. I think there is so much talent that I have seen and a lot of girls that have been invited to the national team but I’ve definitely hung my takkies at national level. I am looking forward to enjoying my time on the sidelines as a coach but I won’t be playing at national level anymore,” she says.

“I would have liked to have had a 100 caps, it’s honestly something I had put down on paper but unfortunately there are some goals that you don’t meet. Walking away from the netball courts with 97 caps, I think I am satisfied with the medals I have, with the achievements that I have. I’ve served the country well, I’ve done so many tours, the World Cup and Commonwealth Games, I think that cannot be taken away from me. I’ve enjoyed my time on the netball court,” she adds.

SURPRISE RESULTS

The Eastern Cape Aloes lead the pack with having won all four of their opening week matches with Mpumalanga Sunbirds second with one loss so far.

The change in the coaching staff seems to be working well for Sunbirds who had been struggling over the years. Coach Thembisile Mdluli might be what the team need to realise its potential.

Division one of the competition also produced surprise results. The Gauteng derby, which has always been dominated by the Jaguars, brought out a different outcome with the Fireballs beating their rivals.

The Dr Jordaan coached side are a different beast this season and ended the first week of the competition on top of the table with Jaguars behind them.

The Fireballs wrapped up their week unbeaten with their final match of the opening weekend ending with a 55-39 win over Western Cape’s Southern Stings.

The North West Flames are the only side to have not registered a single victory in opening weekend and are seated at the bottom of the table.

Although Kingdom Stars had fans cheering for them at the Arena, they only managed to win one game and are just above the Flames on the table.

Stars managed to beat the Flames for the first time ever in this competition in a closely contested match which ended on a 57-52 scoreline. The Jaguars also registered the biggest win of the first week with a 72-36 victory over the Flames.

The competition will now move to the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria which will host the remainder of the tournament with the next round starting on 20 May.