Jenny van Dyk looking to discover new gems in Telkom Netball League

Netball South Africa on Thursday afternoon launched the new TNL season in Sandton, Johannesburg, with 16 teams ready to contest for the title from Friday, 26 April.

Van Dyk says many players who performed in the league last season, have now signed with professional leagues abroad, with the new TNL talent therefore crucial in trying to close the gaps.

"A lot of the players that played in the league last year have now moved over to the UK League, some have moved to the Aussie [Australia] League, and also the New Zealand league," said van Dyk.

"So obviously some new players will be taking those positions, and I'm looking forward to seeing, number one – can the SA U21 Baby Proteas [players] back themselves with more senior performances as we moved into the TNL.

"But I'm also looking forward to seeing who else is going to put up their hand and say, 'Have a look at me,' and just get to know all the new players.

"Over the past three or four years, I've never selected on every single level. I knew every single player by name and by everything they can do, and I hope to see a few new faces [because] some of the older players have stopped playing, like Bongi as well."

Van Dyk further told SABC Sport that, after concluding their technical planning meeting, the Proteas will assemble for camp to prepare for their test series against Malawi in August.

"For the Proteas, we actually have one more big planning meeting that we will conclude, and from there, as early as next month, we'll go into camp for the first time," she revealed.

"So after the first round of the TNL is concluded, we'll move the squad into camp. We'll have to have a few training partners because a lot of our squad [members] are currently based overseas."

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