SA Netball to host tri-nations

The South African national netball team will be hosting a tri-nations tournament on home soil in September. The Proteas are going to be up against Trinidad and Tobago while the third team, which will probably be from the African continent, will be announced soon.

The newly appointed coach is aiming high. Carin Strauss has a four-year plan leading up to the World Cup in 2011. The process to finalise a squad of 40 players is also well underway. The first national training camp is next month. International tours and games are also being finalised.

The Proteas won a silver medal at the 1995 World Championships. They beat England and New Zealand and narrowly lost to Australia. That tournament put South Africa's shooter, Irene van Dyk, on the map. Strauss believes there are a few more Irene van Dyk's in the country, and she says it’s time netball turns semi-professional.

The national club championships are currently underway, with the finals following next month.