The Jaguars will be in for a tough challenge in trying to defend their Telkom Netball League title at the Tuks Rembrandt Hall.
Tomorrow they are playing against the Stings (Western Cape) on Saturday against the Fireballs (Gauteng) and Sunday against the Flames (Northwest)
"It is never ideal for playing three games in three days as it takes its toll on the players, but it does not help to get worked up about it as there is nothing we could do about it," explained Jenny van Dyk (Tuks) who coached the Jaguars to win the tournament twice in succession (2017 and 2018).
Van Dyk who makes no secret about wanting to guide her team to a third consecutive title admits that she has got a slight case of the jitters as to how things might play out on the court. She, however, describes it as a good nervousness.
"The day when I am not nervous before a prestigious tournament is a day I should quit coaching. Nerves prove that I am passionate about what I do. It motivates me. Often I would go sit down and watch videos of previous games which helps me to rethink my team tactics."
Marlize de Bruin (Tuks) will be captaining the Jaguars which shows there is truth in the saying about perseverance paying off.
For the last three years, playing centre, she always had to prove she is good enough to get a chance to take to the court. She was up against the likes of Erin Burger and Izette Griesel (both Protea players). It meant De Bruin had spent more time warming the bench than playing.
According to De Bruin, it was in a way a good thing as she realised that she needed to keep working on her game trying to improve all the time.
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