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Apex is extremely proud as Sian Moore continues to anchor the Cape Town A senior side at the Spar national champs, keeping the Cape flag flying high in Boksburg. Across a demanding week of back-to-back matches, Cape Town A has emerged as the only unbeaten senior-A team at the tournament. Sian has been at the

With the upcoming Taini Jamison Series (21 Sept, 24 Sept, 28 Sept), it is fitting to take a closer look at the progression of test matches between these two teams over the years. This preview will explore their playing styles, evolution, and recent developments throughout the season.In previous blogs, we’ve discussed each team in detail, examining their style of play and evolution since their inception. You can find the blogs for the Silver Ferns and SPAR Proteas via the provided links.To summarize, the SPAR Proteas’ netball journey reflects both South Africa’s turbulent history and sporting resilience. From being World Cup runners-up (before a 25-year international ban during Apartheid) to their reintegration in the 1990s and hosting the 2023 Netball World Cup, the Proteas have steadily rebuilt into a global force. Today, with icons like Karla Pretorius and Bongiwe Nsomi, and rising stars such as Sanmarie Visser and Khanyisa Chawane, alongside the leadership of coaches Jenny van Dyk and Zanele Mdodana, South African netball is entering a new era of growth and international competitiveness.The Silver Ferns, New Zealand’s national team, have been a dominant force since 1938, with historic triumphs including five Netball World Cup titles and multiple Commonwealth Games golds. Their success is fueled by legendary players such as Irene van Dyk, Maria Folau, Laura Langman, and Ameliaranne Ekenasio, as well as a training philosophy grounded in Māori values of guardianship, respect, and resilience. Combining cultural principles with cutting-edge strength, agility, and tactical training, the Ferns have built a legacy of hard work and remain one of the world’s most formidable netball nations.A History of NZ vs SAThe rivalry between the Silver Ferns and SPAR Proteas has been shaped by history, dominance, and breakthrough moments. For decades, New Zealand maintained a clear upper hand, winning the majority of encounters by large margins, while South Africa rebuilt its international presence after returning from sporting isolation in the 1990s.The Proteas’ greatest triumph came at the 1995 Netball World Championship in Birmingham, where they stunned the Ferns 59–57 in the semi-final to reach their first and only World Cup final. Since then, New Zealand has reasserted dominance, but South Africa has steadily closed the gap, most notably under coach Norma Plummer in the late 2010s, losing by just two goals in the 2019 World Cup semi-final.The rivalry reached a new height at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, where the teams played out a dramatic 48–48 draw, only the second time the Proteas had avoided defeat to the Ferns. While the overall record still leans heavily toward New Zealand, the contests now highlight a clash of contrasting styles: the Ferns’ structured, creative flair against the Proteas’ physical, disruptive grit, making every meeting a battle of precision versus pressure.Current StandingsNew Zealand currently sits number 2 on the Netball World Rankings. Although they finished fourth at the 2023 World Cup, they bounced back by winning the 2024 Constellation Cup 3–1 against the Australian Diamonds. This series highlighted significant growth following a shaky World Cup performance.The squad has also undergone rigorous training camps focused on team bonding and psychology, alongside traditional netball training. This approach has fostered a more cohesive, composed, and technically skilled team. With former captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio and an injury-recovered Grace Nweke returning to goal shooter duties, the Ferns made turnovers difficult to obtain. The midcourt, featuring speed and creativity from Whitney Souness, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Maddie Gordon, and Kimiora Poi, complements a defensive structure anchored by Kelly Jackson (three-time Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award winner), Karin Burger, Jane Watson, Parris Mason, and Kate Heffernan.Recent developments by Netball New Zealand have also influenced team dynamics. The player eligibility rule was amended, allowing players based overseas to trial and play for the Ferns, retaining international experience while expanding talent depth. Additionally, following player complaints about Dame Noeline Taurua’s coaching and communication style, Yvette McCausland-Durie has taken over as head coach for the upcoming series with Liana Leota as assistant coach.For the SPAR Proteas, multiple personnel changes have occurred since the 2023 World Cup. Norma Plummer is no longer head coach, with Jenny van Dyk appointed as head coach and Zanele Mdodana as assistant. Both coaches have achieved historical successes and are cultivating a new generation of South African netball. The integration of younger players, alongside the development of overseas experience, has helped South Africa secure fifth in the world rankings. With international influences shaping their evolving style, the Proteas continue to blend local identity with global competitiveness.Team OverviewsSPAR ProteasKhanyisa Chawane (C)Nichole BreedtEntle FutshaneKamogelo MasekoTarle MatheOwethu NgubaneRefiloe NketsaNozipho NtshangaseNicola SmithRolene StreutkerElmere van der BergShadine van der MerweJuanita van TonderJamie van WykSanmarie VisserThe SPAR Proteas bring a young, energetic flair to the court, blending attacking creativity with disciplined defensive structures. Chawane and Nketsa lead the attack with speed and dynamic movement, while Breedt, Maseko, and Ngubane control the midcourt with clever playmaking and quick transitions. In the shooting circle, Streutker and van der Berg provide accuracy, consistency, and leadership under pressure. Defensively, Mathe, van Wyk, Visser, Ntshangase, and experienced internationals Smith and van der Merwe offer intensity, guidance, and stability. Emerging talents Futshane and van Tonder inject fresh energy, highlighting the Proteas’ growing depth and international potential.Silver FernsKarin BurgerMaddy GordonCatherine HallGeorgia HeffernanKate HeffernanKelly JacksonParris MasonGrace NwekeKimiora PoiMila Reuelu-BuchananMartina SolomonCarys StythePeta ToeavaFilda VuiHeading into the series, the Silver Ferns blend experience, athleticism, and emerging talent. Burger, Jackson, and Hall provide a defensive trio capable of structured zone defense and sharp one-on-one pressure, while Gordon, K. Heffernan, and Mason anchor the midcourt with speed, precise passing, and relentless work rate. Nweke remains the focal point in attack, supported by G. Heffernan, Solomon, and Vui, offering movement, accuracy, and versatility. Playmaking from Poi and Reuelu-Buchanan injects pace and creativity, while Stythe and Toeava provide adaptable depth across defense and midcourt. This combination ensures the Ferns can rotate seamlessly, maintain intensity, and pose multiple threats throughout the court.Match-Ups To Look Out ForThe series will be defined by several key positional battles:Grace Nweke vs Sanmarie Visser – height and shooting accuracy against tight defensive anticipation.Elmere van der Berg vs Kelly Jackson – composure and reach under pressure.Kimiora Poi vs Tarle Mathe – midcourt agility and playmaking against defensive reading and physicality.Maddy Gordon vs Refiloe Nketsa – pace, positioning, and turnover potential at both ends.Kate Heffernan vs Jamie van Wyk – agility, intercept timing, and defensive reads.Karin Burger vs Nichole Breedt – disrupting midcourt creativity and penetration.These matchups highlight the contrast in styles: New Zealand’s structured, fast-passing game versus South Africa’s physical, pressure-driven approach, with each battle likely determining control of tempo and momentum.Team Clinicality: Strengths, Weaknesses, and CountersBoth teams have strengths and exploitable tendencies. The Silver Ferns, while structured and fast, can sometimes overpass or force plays, leading to turnovers, particularly against aggressive midcourt pressure. They can also be vulnerable to physicality in the circle, where defenders who anticipate feeds and time jumps can disrupt shooters like Nweke. To counter this, the Ferns must maintain composure, use patient ball movement, and employ quick switches to avoid predictability.They also utilize WD and GD through-court attack. With Burger and Heffernan being strong ball carriers. The Ferns are also masters of movement, driving and creating space – pulling defenders with them to open up another drive. They are known for their cross-court swings of the ball to open up the unused side of the court. Defensively, players are masters of creating an illusion of an open player, leaping into the air for a flying intercept.As a whole, the Ferns have created a culture of teamwork and court awareness, being able to make substitutions and continue the flow of the game without disruption of combinations. Their players are also very versatile; each player typically has two or more mastered positions. We’ve seen like likes of 1.92m Jackson playing WD, and players such as Toeava and Vui bring an unmatched level of positional rotation and creative flair to this clinical side.The Proteas, meanwhile, occasionally struggle with shooting accuracy and can overcommit defensively, leaving gaps for the Ferns’ quick, clever passes. Midcourt fatigue against the Ferns’ relentless pace is also a risk. South Africa can mitigate this by prioritizing shot selection, rotating players efficiently, and using deceptive feeds and off-ball movement to challenge New Zealand’s defense. Exploiting these tendencies could prove decisive, as small lapses are often converted into game-changing opportunities at this elite level.The Proteas often employ long, angled passes and cross-court feeds to avoid the famous box defense of teams such as the Silver Ferns and Australian Diamonds, forcing opponents to stretch and shift rapidly, which can expose defensive gaps. Defensively, the Proteas excel at anticipation, timing, and high-pressure contests. Their players are known for aggressive intercepts, smothering passes, and forcing turnovers. Players like Mathe, Visser, and Ntshangase are competitive in the air. The Proteas through-court defense has also been a topic of recent years, with players such as Breedt and Maseko providing the team with much-needed intercepts in the midcourt. On attack, the Proteas are masters of early preparation and fast-paced ball movement, while players such as van der Berg and Streutker make for strong holding shooters, employing a moving circle when necessary. Fresh defenders are ones to look out for, seeing how the elevation of Futshane and marksmanship of van Tonder will stand up to players such as Nweke will be highly anticipated.Final ThoughtsThe stage is set for a thrilling Taini Jamison Series, as the Silver Ferns and SPAR Proteas bring history, talent, and ambition onto the same court. New Zealand enters with its trademark precision, movement, and adaptability, eager to reinforce its standing as one of the world’s most consistent netball powers. South Africa, meanwhile, continues to rise as a team of resilience and flair, blending youthful promise with seasoned leadership as they seek to carve out more landmark results against top-tier opposition.Beyond rankings and statistics, this series represents the clash of two contrasting philosophies: the Ferns’ calculated creativity versus the Proteas’ disruptive grit. Every intercept, feed, and shot will carry the weight of past rivalries, from South Africa’s shock 1995 victory to their dramatic draw in Cape Town in 2023. With both teams embracing change in coaching, player development, and tactical depth, the upcoming encounters are more than just preparation – they are a measure of how the future of world netball is shaping.If history is anything to go by, fans can expect matches defined by intensity, tactical battles, and unforgettable moments. Whether it’s the towering presence of Grace Nweke, the creativity of Peta Toeava, the grit of Sanmarie Visser, or the leadership of Khanyisa Chawane, this series promises to showcase the best of netball’s evolving global story.

When I say “skills that feel uncomfortable,” I’m talking about the ones that don’t come naturally, the ones you’d usually avoid because they feel risky, awkward, or even a bit scary to try. But here’s the thing: those are often the very skills that make the biggest difference to your game.This isn’t about doing what already feels good. It’s about pushing through the uncomfortable stuff that actually grows you as a netball player. So let’s unpack 6 of these skills, why they matter, what psychology has to say about them, and how you can start building these skills.1. Quick Release PassingSometimes, to outplay an opponent, we need to be able to release the ball when our teammate is ready so their opposition doesn’t have a chance to cover up and defend the player.Theories linked to Passing:Deliberate Practice (Ericsson, 1993): Improvement comes from targeted practice in uncomfortable areas, not just repeating what’s easyCognitive Load Theory (Sweller, 1988): Working under pressure trains the brain to process information faster and more efficiently over timeIn school netball, we’re taught to hold the ball long enough for teammates to get free. That works at a certain level, but as you play at higher intensity, the game demands quicker anticipation and sharper timing. Quick release passing is about letting go before the defender even realises what’s happening.Practise: Take risks by passing immediately without worrying too much about making a mistake – remember that mastering a new skill takes time and practice.2. Changing FootworkBeing fast, in any sport, comes down to movement done efficiently. If you run in circular motions, your defender has time to see you and anticipate your movement… but if you run in straight lines, changing direction quickly, your defender has less reaction time and will struggle to predict your movement.Theories linked to Footwork:Motor learning theory (Schmidt & Lee, 2011): Varying movement patterns feels awkward, but it builds adaptability and more stable skillsKleim & Jones (2008): Neuroplasticity research shows that breaking old motor habits and building new ones strengthens brain pathways (allowing us to implement movement with much ease due to learnt mechanisms)Now that weve established that certain movement is used to increase our speed on court, we need to look at putting all of our energy towards the right mechanisms for speed. Implement cognitive training into physical workouts by engaging in “mind-muscle” practices. Think about body positioning during training to make sure your energy is being directed to assist movement and not restrict it. By actively engaging these mechangisms during practice and workout sessions, they will become muscle memory and allow players to utilize these skills in a game.Action: Use the arms to propel the body forward, drive hard onto the floor with the balls of the feet for quicker acceleration, face the hips and knees towards the direction of movement, and lastly, work on exelleration patterns like taking short strides instead of long strides.3. Confidence in Shooting over DefendersWe’ve all faced defenders who seem to have our number — great reach, perfect timing, always in our space. It’s frustrating, but also an opportunity. Shooting over a tough defender teaches you resilience and new strategies.Theories linked to Shooting Confidence:Self-Efficacy Theory (Bandura, 1997): Confidence grows when athletes repeatedly succeed at progressively harder challengesChallenge vs Threat Appraisal (Blascovich & Mendes, 2000): Reframing a situation as a challenge rather than a threat improves performance under pressureEmbodied cognition research (Wilson, 2002): Small adjustments in how the body is used can boost both performance and confidenceThe above theories are evidence that challenges improve an individual’s skill and resilience, making them more effective against different types of players in the long term.Action: See each defender as an opportunity to learn how to play against them. Consider holding the defender for longer if they are intercepting over passes, or releasing the ball at a higher arc if the defender is jumping the shot, or pick up a defender repeatedly and prepare earlier if they are agile.4. Taking Risky Drives into SpaceSometimes, instead of waiting for the “safe space” (where there are no defenders),  attackers need to drive hard into space even if a defender is close by. At first, this feels risky because of the possibility of being contacted, being called for offensive contacts, or losing possession through a forced pass or held ball. But it helps players become braver, sharper, and more creative in attack.Theories linked to Movement:Growth Mindset (Dweck, 2006): Players who embrace mistakes as part of learning grow fasterRisk-taking in sport research (Gulliver et al., 2012): Controlled risk builds adaptability and resilience under pressureThe more you put yourself into contested spaces at training, the more you learn about timing, body control, and how to beat defenders. It also sharpens court awareness and the ability to make confident movements during high-stakes moments.Action: In your next training, deliberately take one or two drives into a tighter space. Even if you lose the ball, focus on what you learnt about timing and positioning.5. Breaking Habitual Passing StyleMost of us have a “go-to” pass: chest, shoulder, or overhead. But defenders quickly pick up on predictable habits. Practising uncomfortable passes in unexpected situations (like a shoulder pass under pressure) stretches your versatility.Theories linked to Passing Variation:Cognitive Flexibility (Diamond, 2013): switching between responses develops flexible problem-solving.Desirable Difficulties (Bjork, 1994): doing something that feels awkward at first deepens learning in the long run.By changing up your passing, you’ll be more confident delivering the right pass at the right time, no matter the defender. Being able to control the ball in your hands by bringing it up and down for different passes allows for quick transitions between a fake followed by a pass.Action: In practice, challenge yourself to avoid your “default” pass for one quarter. You’ll force your brain and body to adapt to controlling the ball in different ways.5. Playing Out of Position in TrainingAt first, it feels unnatural… a shooter running as a wing defense or a circle defender trying goal attack. But stepping into another position gives you a new perspective on space, timing, and what teammates need.Theories linked to Playing Out of Position:Transfer of Learning (Perkins & Salomon, 1992): Skills in one role enhance understanding and performance in anotherPerspective-taking research (Galinsky et al., 2008): Stepping into someone else’s role builds empathy, anticipation, and better teamworkThe above theories highlight the importance of team chemistry and understanding of different positions. It may feel uncomfortable to play outside of your position, but it creates cognitive and emotional understanding of teammates.Action: Ask your coach to let you train in a different position for a while. Notice how it changes your understanding of movement and pressure. Don’t be discouraged by feeling6. Movement with PurposeIn netball, the way you move can have as much impact as the ball in your hands. Purposeful movement isn’t always about receiving the ball – it’s about supporting your teammates, creating space, and drawing defenders to open up passing or shooting options. This kind of movement can feel uncomfortable at first because it requires commitment, awareness, and confidence even when the ball isn’t coming to you.Theories linked to Purposeful Movement:Theory of Mind in Sport (McPherson, 1999): Understanding how others perceive your actions allows you to influence outcomes more effectivelySelf-Efficacy Theory (Bandura, 1997): Confidence grows when you successfully move with purpose under pressureCognitive Flexibility (Diamond, 2013): Adapting your movement to a situation strengthens decision-making and problem-solving skillsPurposeful movement involves:Confidently taking a drive to pull defenders away or open the court for someone elseChanging direction decisively to stay unpredictable and keep defenders off balanceUsing front cuts (by weathering possible contact) and lateral movement to get to key positions, like the circle edge or free spaceStaying composed when options feel blocked, so you can react quickly and maintain team flowBy moving with intention, you make the defender react to you, create opportunities for teammates, and keep the team’s structure fluid. Even if you never touch the ball, your movement shapes the attack.Action: During practice or a game, pick one movement where your goal is to support the team: pull a defender, create space, or offer a passing option. Focus on committing fully, changing direction sharply, and staying composed to make your movement purposeful. Final thoughtsThe skills that feel most uncomfortable are often the ones that develop both your game and your mind. They push you to handle uncertainty, manage pressure, and build the confidence that comes from doing something that once felt impossible. Psychologically, these moments of discomfort strengthen resilience, self-belief, and the ability to adapt when things do not go to plan.When you keep leaning into what feels awkward, you are not only improving your technical ability but also training your mind to stay calm, focused, and flexible in difficult situations. Growth happens when body and mind work together, and it is the willingness to embrace discomfort that allows both to expand.

We have all seen it, and most of us have done it. A bad pass, a missed shot, or a call we do not agree with, and suddenly our shoulders drop, our head sinks, and we let out a sigh. It happens at every level, from school teams to the pros. That small reaction says