Elmeré van den Berg, a North West province and North West Flames player, made it to the South Africa National Netball Team (Spar Proteas) that will represent the country at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town from July 28 to August 6.
Coach Norma Plummer unveiled the squad on May 19, 2023. Plummer and her coaching staff have been diligently preparing the team for several months, beginning with training camps leading to the Quad Series in January. This was followed by another camp in Australia, exclusively for locally based players. Two additional camps were held at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS), including an intensive month-long session in March. The team has recently concluded its final camp before the World Cup, and the players will return to their respective domestic teams for the remainder of the Telkom Netball League. They will reconvene in July for the final phase of World Cup preparations.
Plummer emphasized the rigorous selection process, which involved fitness testing, strength and conditioning assessments, agility, speed work, and match play analysis. Statistical data played a significant role in determining the final squad, with factors such as shooting percentages, defensive structures, interceptions, and deflections considered. Plummer also highlighted the exceptional performance of young player Jeanette Strydom, who displayed impressive fitness levels and a strong desire to succeed.
Including young players like Strydom, Elmere van der Berg, and Nicola Smith is vital for the team's long-term development, aiming to bridge the gap left by retiring senior players. Plummer expressed her confidence in their potential, noting their exceptional skills and promising futures in the sport.
Plummer says it’s essential having young players competing at the highest level to minimize the gap when some senior players leave the sport.
"First of all, you have Elmere and Nicola, and the thing was, would we have them back because they both had serious injuries? But they have been back and have been working hard. They have been at SAS; the strength and conditioning people have been looking after them and improving their quality. They performed very well at selections,” said Plummer.
PROTEAS SQUAD: Bongiwe Msomi (C), Karla Pretorius (VC), Khanyisa Chawane, Izette Griesel, Owethu Ngubane, Refiloe Nketsa, Phumza Maweni, Lenize Potgieter, Lefebre Rademan, Nicola Smith, Jeanette Strydom, Nichole Taljaard, Elmere van der Berg, Shadine van der Merwe, and Ine-Mari Venter.
