Andrews hopes qualifier performance will open doors

Baby Proteas forward, Renezia Andrews is hopeful that her star will rise following the successful Netball World Youth Cup 2025 Africa Regional qualifiers with the junior team. South Africa booked a place in the global competition following a 100 per cent winning streak in the week-long tournament.

The Precious Mthembu-coached side is one of three African teams heading to Gibraltar for the World Cup next year. The Young Queens of Malawi and Zambia are the other two representatives.

Andrews, who was named player of the match against Namibia, hopes that her performance at the competition will draw the eyes of the national selectors and teams outside of the country. The 20-year-old says she hopes to fulfil her dream of playing overseas.

“Ever since I started playing netball, I have always had a dream of playing for the Proteas and to think that it has now come true, I can’t describe the feeling. I didn’t think it would come true so soon because of all the talent that we have in the country. However, I have worked hard and played my best on court and I knew that if I continued doing that, then one day I would be able to play for the Proteas. Just to think that I’m the best of the best doesn’t feel real to me. It is just an honour and a privilege to play for your country because other people wish to be here as well,” says Andrews.

FAMILY-LIKE ENVIRONMENT

The attacker has heaped praise on coach Precious Mthembu, who was recently appointed as head coach. She says the former Spar Proteas player has created a family-like environment in the team that makes it easy for the players to speak to her about anything. Andrews says she feels honoured to be coached by Mthembu.

“It has been an honour to be coached by one of the best wing defences South Africa has ever had. She is one of the best coaches that I have worked with. She tells you what you must do and what you have to work on. She is also like a big sister to us, we can go and talk to her about any of our problems and she helps where she can. It is a privilege to work with her,” she explains.

The goal attack understands that although she put in a good shift in the qualifiers, that doesn’t automatically give her a place in the final. Andrews says the Baby Proteas’ ambition is to improve on the global stage but furthermore, the team wants to win the World Cup.

“I would like to be in the team that will go to Gibraltar, I want to make that team that will go to the World Cup. We would like to win the World Cup, that is actually our goal,” she explains.

'PLAY MY HEART OUT'

Andrews says she hopes she will be able to represent South Africa at senior level which could potentially lead to playing in other leagues outside of South Africa.

“My goal is to play for the senior Proteas one day, that is one of the reasons that I have to work hard. I would also like to get a contract overseas one day. I just need to work hard, even though I already train eight times a week, I still need to give my all. I need to take every training session seriously, as though it is my last time on court. I must play my heart out,” she says.

The agile player will be returning to the Telkom Netball League this year. She will be playing in the colours of the Western Cape Tornados which she joined last season.

The TNL will kick off in April for a weeklong power week. The Tornados lost the Division Two final to the Limpopo Baobabs by 65-40 and missed out on a chance to play in the promotion match. Andrews says the team aims to return to the top of the second division but mostly the team wants to earn promotion to Division One of the competition.

“I am excited that I will be playing for the Tornados again this year. We finished second in Division Two last year but we want to win so we play in the promotion/relegation game so that we move to the top division for next year,” she says.