Badenhorst to sue Netball SA after Proteas dismissal

After serving Netball SA (NSA) for 17 years, having started at the under-19 structures and going on to the senior ranks, Badenhorst was served a letter of dismissal just months before the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town.

She was named the new Proteas coach in 2019 and entrusted with the responsibility to lead the national team to the World Cup on home soil, but that plan has since been aborted.

SABC Sport understands that Badenhorst is infuriated by her abrupt sacking and is demanding answers from the national federation, according to a reliable source.

"She received a letter and was told not to report to work again without an explanation. She does not know why she got fired and wants to know because it has nothing to do with her performance," the source told the public broadcaster's sports desk.

"The letter did not explain why she was dismissed and she is taking further steps. She said she would not let the matter go, even if it costs her last penny [in legal costs]."

On Monday, Norma Plummer was unveiled as the Proteas coach, who had earlier been appointed as an "advisor" to Badenhorst and assistant Dumisani Chauke for the Commonwealth Games earlier this year.

The source added that the players allegedly complained to Netball SA hierarchy about Badenhorst's behaviour and how she handled the team.

NSA CEO Blanche de la Guerre told SABC Sport they have launched an investigation against the former Proteas mentor and have nothing to hide, while responding to Badenhorst's intention to take legal action.

"If she wants to sue, she can go ahead and sue. We did an investigation and are happy [with the outcome]. We had no choice but to make the difficult decision to replace her with a new coach. I cannot comment further on the matter,” said De la Guerre.

During her media address on Monday, Plummer said she received a call to step in and instill discipline in the team. 

“I received a call from NSA to come and instill some discipline in the team. The players and management wanted me back and I decided to take on the challenge,” said Plummer.

"It is purely a handshake. I have no contract with NSA. We have not discussed the terms of the employment."

Plummer, who has her first stint as Proteas coach from 2015 to 2019, will now coach at her sixth World Cup, and become the oldest coach in the World Cup at the age of 77. 

She led the team to a fourth-place finish at the World Cup in Liverpool in 2019, but says she said she cannot guarantee a podium finish in Cape Town next year.

"I do not want to make promises, it is impossible to know how far we will go in the World Cup. I had four years to prepare the team in my first stint and now I have eight months to prepare them for the World Cup," she concluded.