The Tuks U-20 netball team is the 2021 Gauteng Twizza Netball Club Championships title winners beating Harlequins 31-24 in the final over the weekend in Johannesburg. It was sweet revenge for Tuks. They lost against Harlequins in the Gauteng North-final of the Championships.

"Utter focus." That is, according to Marichelle Visagie Tuks's captain, what made the difference this time around.  

"On Sunday, we took to the court with the right mindset. It did not matter who our opponents were going to be. We played to win. Every player was focused on executing what we practised to perfection."

Being "champions" does take its toll. Visagie said that on Monday morning, she could feel that her body took some "punishment". 

"To be honest, I battled to get out of bed, but I guess it is to be expected. We played six games in one day. Our coaches deserve credit for the way they managed us, making sure that none of us gets overplayed." 

What is remarkable about the Tuks team is that last year most of them were still at school. In 2020 they hardly got to play netball because of the Covid Pandemic. It is only from February this year that they have been back on the court in earnest.

Visagie said at first it was quite a shock to play against older and more experienced players as the intensity and tempo were so much higher than they were used to. 

"With the first tournament, it was like we were being thrown in the deep end of a pool. It boiled down to swim or sink. We survived. Now I would have it no other way. All of us can't wait to play at the Twizza National Club Championship."

When asked why she is so passionate about what she does, Visagie answered, saying that when on the court playing netball, she is in a happy place. 

"I love the camaraderie that comes with playing netball. Being united as a team. That feeling when we win is hard to put to words."