Jewels net high praise at ‘Power Week’

Desert Jewels coach Julene Meyer and Netball Namibia officials have praised the high intensity and player development witnessed at the inaugural MTC Power Week tournament. Meyer says one of the biggest highlights was the enthusiasm players showed on the sprung floor, as well as the overall standard of play throughout the tournament.”The players’ enjoyment of competing on the sprung floor really stood out, as did the intensity and quality of play. We also saw impressive squad depth on display and encouraging signs of development across players, coaches and umpires,” she says.

The inaugural MTC Power Week, held at the MTC Dome at Swakopmund from 23 to 30 May, brought together all 12 Premier League teams and about 180 players in an intensive tournament format designed to replicate the demands of international competition. Netball Namibia president Juanita Witbeen has described the overall standard of the league as highly encouraging, citing improvements in the quality of play, tactical awareness, fitness levels and competitiveness across the competition. She says the gap between established powerhouses and emerging teams is beginning to narrow as investments in player development start to bear fruit.