Desert Jewels to play in Australia

Senior national netball team head coach, Julene Meyer says the Debmarine Namibia Desert Jewels’ trip to Australia will provide national players with an opportunity to learn from opponents who play the game professionally.
Netball Namibia is sending a team of 15 athletes and officials to participate in the prestigious Pacific Netball Series, which will take place from 10 to 15 June 2024 in Brisbane, Australia.
Team Namibia is expected to depart for Australia on 05 June 2024.
In an interview with Nampa, Meyer said their involvement in the Pacific Netball Series is not only for competition, but to gain invaluable international exposure and experience.
“Going to this championship is a crucial step in our long-term strategy of enhancing our players’ skills and improving our global ranking. Going to Australia where netball is played as a professional sport will expose us to a professional setup, which will be a huge learning curve for us,” she said.
Meyer added that the team has been hard at work as they know that competing in this championship will be a different set-up than what they are used to.
“We are taking 15 players as part of a travelling squad but only 12 will form part of the team, while the other three will be on standby if any of them pick up an injury during the competition,” Meyer said.
The coach stated that competing in the Pacific Netball Series will see Namibia ranked 20th in the world, rubbing shoulders with teams ranked eighth, 16th and 24th, which will help in their goal of improving their ranking as they aim to be in the top 14 in the future.
The Debmarine Namibia Desert Jewels squad travelling to Australia includes: Elisia Hambongo, Louise Kausehue, Mianka Robberts, Anna Kaspar, Tillie Nelao Kamati, Uendjisuvera Kangumine, Imbileni Frans, Menjipe Kaveako, Venjekerera Maharero, Tjeripo Kambirongo, Monique Basson, Desdamona Tjirera, Mwale Mulenamaswe, Anna Shipanga and Cornelia Mupenda.
(NAMPA)
HK/HP/PS
(NAMPA)