The Tuks netball players conquests over the last three years are best summarised by "veni, vidi, vici" that famous quote by Julius Caesar as the team indeed came, saw and conquered.
In light of this, it would indeed be a massive upset if Tuks does not qualify to contest the USSA netball final next Friday in Johannesburg.
The only occasion where there were no Tuks players involved in the final of a major local tournament was during the 2017 USSA's. There was a good reason for it. Tuks's A-side was at the time competing in a Super Club competition in New Zealand which led to the second stringers needing to defend the club's honour locally.
Recently the Jaguars (all but in name a Tuks side) won the Telkom League Tournament for a third successive year. They are the only team who has since the inception of the competition contested every final.
The reality of sport is no team can dominate forever. It is a case of what goes up must come down but if Jenny van Dyk (TuksNetball's head coach) has her way the teams she coaches will keep on dominating. Losing will never voluntary be an option to her.
"I fully realise that no team can keep on winning forever. The odd loss now and again is not bad as it serves as a reality check to us not to ever become complacent. Still, I believe Tuks can keep on winning more games than losing."
Van Dyk ascribes her player's constant dominance to success begetting success.
"I have overheard coaches telling their players not worry during tournaments as it is only another game. For me, there is not such a thing. With every competition, our only goal is always to qualify to contest at the least the semi-final, but in reality, we want to be in the final.
"The more players get to play finals, the more they learn how to handle the pressure. I believe success is no accident. It is all about hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. The end reward to all of this is to play finals."
Tuks is the defending USSA Champions and last year playing as Gauteng they also won the provincial championships but lost out in the Varsity-final.
Virtual Campus
Get Social With Us
Download the UP Mobile App