Netball SA boss Cecilia Molokwane reflects on historic 2023

This historic event on home soil marked the first time Africa hosted the prestigious Netball World Cup, which was established six decades.

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Despite the ambitious goals set by NSA president Cecilia Molokwane to secure a podium finish, the team concluded the global sporting spectacle in sixth place.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Molokwane insisted she should not be held responsible for the Proteas’ failure to meet their World Cup goal, but instead attributed the setback to head coach Norma Plummer as well as the competition format.

“I don’t believe I’m the appropriate person to address how we fell short of our target. I’m not involved in coaching the team, my role is strictly in support of our target, therefore, let’s avoid conflating issues as I won’t have insights into what went wrong," said the outspoken administrator.  

"However, as you and I sat there, the desire for improved outcomes and the presence of better players was evident. From my perspective, it felt as if the coach arrived late and the preparations did not align with the expectations. 

"I also found the system [by World Netball] perplexing, especially since we drew with New Zealand and lost a game without progressing in the competition.

"I believe every World Cup should include a quarter-final, but the play-off structures in the Netball World Cup are bewildering to me. World Netball should address this issue as it appears to favour some countries over others.

"Despite facing challenges such as the loss of my husband and contracting Covid-19, hosting the World Cup stands as the greatest achievement of my life. In my view, we successfully delivered a memorable World Cup in South Africa."

Following the conclusion of the World Cup, the Proteas embarked on two tours to Australia and England, facing setbacks in both three-match test series against the top-ranked and world number-three sides respectively.

“We achieved success in the two tours by integrating talent, especially in light of the retirements of senior players Bongiwe Msomi and Phumza Maweni," Molokwane added.

"This marks a phase of reconstruction for our team. Looking ahead to the upcoming year, we anticipate witnessing the capabilities of the new coach and our emerging young players as we lay the foundation for the 2027 World Cup in Australia."

Plummer bade a farewell to the sport at the age of 78 after the Proteas lost the series 2-1 against the England Roses, with NSA having subsequently advertised coaching vacancies.

SABC Sport understands interviews have been scheduled o commence in January, while the final appointment of the new coach is anticipated to be finalised by March 2024.

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