South Africa's Jenny van Dijk has been appointed as the netball national team coach. (Image credit: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
- Netball South Africa has announced that Jenny van Dijk will be the Proteas' new coach.
- Van Dijk replaces Australian Norma Plummer, who resigned in December.
- Van Dijk was the most successful coach in the Telkom Netball League, leading the Jaguars to five consecutive championships.
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Netball South Africa on Wednesday announced Jenny van Dijk as the Proteas' new national coach.
Van Dijk replaces Australian Norma Plummer, who resigned in December. Plummer led the Proteas to sixth place at last year's Netball World Cup in Cape Town.
After a thorough process of reviewing applications and a series of interviews, Netball South Africa signed Van Dijk to a four-year contract.
This will see Van Dijk take SA Women to the 2027 Netball World Cup in Australia.
Van Dijk will be supported by Zanele Mdodana, a former South African coach and current mentor to Mattis.
Van Dijk said in a press statement: “It's a great feeling and a great honor to be given the responsibility of leading the national team. I've been waiting to wear this green blazer for a long time.”
“I am also delighted that Zanele is joining us. She has something that sets her soul on fire and I believe we will be a formidable team. As Proteas coach, my aim is to continue where my predecessor left off. It's about continuing from where we started.'' We need to build a winning team – we need to follow the South African netball culture with pride.
“We need to get into a culture where we win and have a netball identity. We believe we are equal to the task and start competing and winning.”
Van Dijk is hailed as one of the most successful coaches in the domestic Telkom Netball League, leading the Jaguars to five consecutive TNL titles.
Highly acclaimed Van Dijk led the University of Pretoria netball team to several Varsity Cup finals and titles. Prior to his appointment, he was part of the Under-21 team which will compete in the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 Qualifiers in March.
“With some of our senior players retiring, we are making a fresh start and need a coach who will grow with us.As a federation, we have found the right people to help us do just that. I’m sure,” Netball said. President of South Africa, Cecilia Molokwane.
“As a federation, we have full confidence in the person we have chosen as our head coach and are confident that the team will compete and take us to new heights.”
Van Dijk's first task will be to assemble a group of 30 players and finalize the squad ahead of the training camp, which is expected to be announced soon.
