For North-West University (NWU) netball coach Monique Meyer, coaching is about more than preparing players to win matches. It is about developing talent, building confidence and creating opportunities for athletes to progress to higher levels of the sport.
Monique’s recent appointment as head coach of the Sedibeng senior women’s netball team for the second consecutive year is a significant recognition of her coaching ability and comes at a time when the representation of the NWU at district level has grown substantially.
This year, eight NWU players were selected alongside Monique, compared to four players last year. Three players were selected for the under-21 A team, one for the under-21 B team and four for the senior women’s team.
For Monique, the growth is a source of immense pride and an indication that the player-development efforts of the university are producing results.
“It truly is a major achievement,” she says. “This shows growth in our players’ development and performance.”
The achievement is particularly meaningful given the limited high-level opportunities available to players in the Vaal. Monique believes that every opportunity to compete against stronger opposition exposes players to new standards and prepares them for the demands of elite netball.
“The more our players get the opportunity to compete in high-performance or high-level competitions, the more experience they gain that the NWU will benefit from in future University Sports South Africa (USSA) tournaments,” she says.
Building confidence and raising standards
Central to Monique’s coaching philosophy is a firm belief that selection must be based on performance.
“I always choose performance above all else,” she says.
When identifying players, Monique assesses their basic netball skills, positional requirements, physical attributes, combinations and communication during match play.
For her, however, selection is not the end of the process. It is the beginning of a responsibility to develop the player.
“I do not see different clubs or institutions. I see a player with potential and that I want to help,” she says.
This approach has enabled her to work with players from different backgrounds while maintaining a consistent standard of performance.
A stronger future for Sedibeng netball
She believes that players who are exposed to quality coaching at district level can take that knowledge back to their respective clubs and institutions, creating a wider impact on the standard of netball in the region.
Monique believes that technical development must be accompanied by trust. Her coaching philosophy is based on continuous improvement, with players encouraged to recognise that there is always another level to reach. She also believes that coaches have a responsibility to create an environment where players feel trusted and supported.
“Trusting players and showing your faith in them plays a very big role in their confidence,” she says.
One of the challenges of district-level coaching is bringing players from different teams and playing environments together. Some players may already understand the demands of high-performance netball, while others require additional guidance to reach the expected standard. Monique believes the answer lies in maintaining high expectations while helping players who are still developing to close the gap.
A pathway to higher-level netball
Monique sees competitions such as the SPAR National Championships as important stepping stones for players aspiring to progress in the sport.
Participation at this level provides valuable experience and can potentially open opportunities for players to attend Telkom Netball League trials and be considered for Netball South Africa squads.
For Monique, seeing players progress is one of the most rewarding aspects of coaching.
“Being part of a player’s growth to succeed and celebrating their success is very rewarding,” she says.
Her message to the eight NWU players selected for the Sedibeng teams is to embrace the opportunity, enjoy the experience and use every match as a benchmark.
She wants them to measure themselves against players who are already competing in higher leagues, including the Telkom Netball League.
Monique believes Sedibeng has the potential to develop into a much more competitive netball region.
She says stronger structures, improved coaching and a more competitive home league will be essential to preparing players for high-performance competitions.
“It shows that Sedibeng Netball is not to be underestimated and that in a few years we will be having a more competitive league and competition,” she says.
A stronger local league, she believes, would benefit both players and institutions by providing more competitive matches and improving preparation for major tournaments such as USSA.
Monique also believes coaches must take responsibility for raising the standard of their own training environments.
“We as coaches have the responsibility to do better in our own training sessions in ensuring proper high-quality training sessions,” she says.
She wants players returning from high-level competitions to share their experiences and knowledge with their teammates, clubs and institutions.
Developing more than players
Monique’s influence extends beyond the court. Her vision is to contribute to a sustainable development pathway in which talented players can progress from local competition to university, district, national and potentially professional netball. For the NWU, the growing number of players selected at district level provides encouraging evidence of the developing talent pipeline of the university.
However, Monique knows the work is far from complete.
“We are going in the right direction, but to be able to compete in higher divisions we definitely need to improve certain aspects to ensure new standards are set,” she says.
Her approach is ultimately about creating players who are prepared not only for the next match, but for the next opportunity.
Photo: Monique Meyer was recently appointed as head coach of the Sedibeng senior women’s netball team.
