Van Dyk in driving seat: new Netball Proteas coach wants more ‘SA flavour’

South Africa’s national netball team head coach Jenny van Dyk plans to develop a “dangerous squad” with a winning momentum as she establishes her style of play and regimen in the wake of taking over from Norma Plummer.

Van Dyk was appointed in February. She replaced Plummer, who stood down after the Proteas' 2-1 series defeat in England in December. The hugely experienced Australian coached South Africa from 2022, steering them to an ultimately disappointing sixth place on home soil in the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town. 

Van Dyk, in an interview with TimesLIVE Premium, outlined her strategy for guiding the team through rebuilding challenges as she takes on the crucial role.

Her appointment was no surprise to the South African netball community as Van Dyk is a highly accomplished coach. She led the Gauteng Jaguars to five consecutive Telkom Netball League titles, guided the Botswana national team to the Singapore Nations Cup in 2022, and coached Tuks to an unbeaten streak in the Varsity Netball Cup in 2023. She also successfully headed the Tswana team in USSA (University Sport of South Africa) and Spar National Netball Championships.

Van Dyk said she has big plans as the Spar Proteas come together for the first time under her leadership on August 16 for preseason training before the African Netball Cup.

“It’s our first time being united, something we are excited about — it’s long been overdue. We can’t wait to go to this camp together and put our ideas out to everybody,” she said.

The 42-year-old provided insight into her new role and identified some of the changes that can be expected in the South African team under her tenure.

“The Proteas team is already there, when we work with them the focus is 100% there, but we want to make sure the team is improving and ready.

“The recruitment talent board we have makes it my business to know exactly what talent we have out there for us to line up for the future so that we are not short-term in our thinking and know what we have available in the long run.

“Ultimately, we have been setting up a strategic plan for the Proteas and that is to remain consistent for the next eight years to come. And of course, behind the scenes, there’s a lot of administrative work.

“We have also been working with [domestic side] coaches quite a lot, evaluating the coaches during these tournaments and giving them feedback, because we want all these different levels to buy into our strategy. I plan on visiting all nine provinces and having a clinic to give all the coaches an opportunity to see what we are working towards.”

She hinted at new changes on the horizon, particularly in crucial management positions.

“There are quite a lot of changes happening — good changes. We are busy finalising the service providers we want to have on board. There are key managers staff that will be announced soon enough.”

The former Jaguars coach said, while her approach is similar to that of her predecessor, she brings a unique Mzansi flavour she believes will play a crucial role.

There’s always a door that is opened for players. At the end it’s all about performance and it’s not that easy to walk into the team but once we see someone has proven to be worthy of the spot we invite them in.

—  Jenny van Dyk

“I have learnt a lot from Norma in the time she was here — there is a lot that is valuable that I think we cannot let go. Ours is to just add a bit of South African flavour. We can be very dangerous as a team if we play the way we want to and, on our terms, and what makes us good as a team, the difference will be slightly on that.”

Despite their intense rivalry and competitive performances pitted against each other in Varsity Netball, it’s no surprise Van Dyk and her assistant coach, Zanele Mdodana, have been entrusted with this major role. Van Dyk had only positive sentiment about their collaborative relationship thus far.

“We have not had the opportunity to work with the team together yet, but she’s been supportive, and I know she has my back. I don’t think people felt we would work that well but we actually make a good team,” Van Dyk said.

With the Proteas set to face Zambia, Namibia and Botswana in November, followed by the African Cup in December and the three-test series in Jamaica, Van Dyk is optimistic about the changes she is instilling. Her goal is to continuously improve the squad while providing opportunities for new talent to emerge.

“There’s always a door that is opened for players. At the end it’s all about performance and it’s not that easy to walk into the team but once we see someone has proven to be worthy of the spot we invite them in.

“It’s not all about the Proteas, it’s about all the national teams performing well and just helping each other, with all these players putting their hand up we can get the right people into the right positions that we can accelerate our programme with.”