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Kovsies triumphs over Tuks and secure spot in Varsity Netball final

01 October 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Kaleidoscope

Varsity Netball 2024 News — In a nail-biting Varsity Netball semi-final, UFS KovsieNetball triumphed over defending champions UP Tuks, winning 68-62.

In a nail-biting Varsity Netball semi-final, UFS KovsieNetball triumphed over defending champions UP Tuks (30 September 2024), winning 68-62 in the Callie Human Centre on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus. The victory advances them to the final on Monday next week, where they will face UJ.

Early lead and strong performances

Despite a close first half, Kovsies led 15-13 at the first quarter break and 35-31 at half-time, relying on strong performances from goal shooters Rolene Streutker and Xandri Fourie. The game turned in the third quarter when Kovsies extended their lead to 53-43. Tuks fought back during their power play in the final quarter, but Kovsies' consistent play, supported by a lively home crowd, ensured their victory and advancement to the final.

Fourie was named FNB player of the march.

According to head coach Burta de Kock, teamwork played a vital role. “Each player took responsibility for her role on the court and the players played for each other,” she said.

De Kock said they analysed UP's style of play and identified their attack strategy. “We knew they had an accurate goal, so we focused on disrupting the feed to the goal, which led to more interceptions.”

Preparing for final against UJ

Looking ahead to the final against UJ, De Kock acknowledged the challenge, saying that they expect it to be a tough match. "UJ hasn’t won a final yet, and their hearts are set on winning. But we are also ready to take excellence to the court and finish the season on a high,” she commented, "because we have brilliant players, each one understanding her responsibility."

To ensure that the KovsieNetball team is well prepared for this critical match, they are supported by an experienced and dedicated coaching staff, each playing an important role in their success. Leading the charge is De Kock, who guided the team to multiple victories. During her years at KovsieSport, she has developed around 20 Protea players. Defence coach Karla Pretorius, currently also the vice-captain of the Spar Proteas, brings a wealth of international experience to strengthen the team's defence. Attack coach Khanyisa Chawane, now also the captain of the Spar Proteas, focuses on sharpening the offensive strategy. Team manager Ané Retief ensures smooth operations behind the scenes, making this dynamic team an unstoppable force on the court. She is also part of the Protea squad that will represent South Africa at the Fast5 World Series in New Zealand in November.

The Varsity Netball final is set for Monday 7 October at 19:00 in the Callie Human Centre. A limited number of tickets will be available at www.varsitysportsa.com so, supporters are encouraged to get theirs as soon as possible. De Kock expressed her gratitude to the fans, saying, “Without your support, we couldn’t have done it.”

News Archive

One of the UFS's newest members welcomed at international organisation.

2011-03-13

Photo: Gerda-Marié Viviers
Prof. Hussein Solomon

One of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) newest members of excellence was recently welcomed as a new member at the relatively new, yet influential, internationally renowned Our Humanity in the Balance (OHIB) organisation. Prof. Hussein Solomon, a month old Senior Professor in Political Science at the university, said he has always wanted to have made a difference in people's lives and dreamt of becoming part of an organisation such as the OHIB. Proofing of Solomon's dedication to his roots, he believes his focus must remain with the African continent. ''I would like OHIB to focus on making the secession process in Sudan as peaceful as possible as well as focusing on ending the ongoing conflicts in Somalia, the Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These are immediate goals. In the medium term we need to examine the issues of democratic transformation in countries like Swaziland and Zimbabwe.''

As this Kovsie has worked in peace NGOs, advised diplomats and acts as a serving officer in the South African Air Force and an academic, the compilation of the OHIB board consisting of academics, former senior diplomats and military people and peace activists would be nothing new to him. ''My role is essentially to bring these disparate communities together and to focus energies on a common project. At the moment much attention is being focused on current developments in Libya.''

Other accomplishments of this former Tuks lecturer include Visiting Professor at the Global Collaboration Centre at Osaka University in Japan, Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics and also respective membership on the Security Council of the Gerhson Lehrman Group of Companies, the International Steering Committee of Global Action to Prevent War, and the International Advisory Council of the Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research in Hawaii. Prof. Solomon was selected in 2008 to serve on the Nelson Mandela Chair of African Studies at Jawahrlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India.

His current area of research expertise include conflict and conflict resolution in Africa; South African Foreign Policy; international relations theory; religious fundamentalism and population movements within the developing world. His publications have appeared in several countries around the world including Switzerland, The Russian Federation and Japan.

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