WITH the Premier Netball League set to start in less than a month, champions Platinum Queens have said they are ready to defend the title.
The Zvishavane-based side are looking to make it three titles on the trot.
They already have the pre-season tournament title in the bag.
Platinum Queens clinched the pre-season title on Saturday after outclassing Chisumbanje-based side, Greenfuel 25-17 in the finals.
Assistant coach Sithembile Banda said the team is now focusing on areas needing some improvement before they start this season’s games.
“Our goal is to win all the tournaments in the 2023 season, including the championship. We had a very tough competition last weekend and for us to achieve our set goals we really need to work hard and improve both mentally and physically. Teams that were present really gave us a run for our money and that calls for more commitment on our side. As the game of netball is now evolving and the game now becoming a bit faster, we are working on new strategies to see us improve on transitional speed on ball possession and aspects on shooting accuracy,” Banda said.
“We feel excited and happy that the girls worked really hard and prepared well for the Saturday tournament and they deserve it (the title). I’m actually proud of our girls.”
Out of the four teams that were promoted to the league from national Division One, Harare District, Expandables, Stormers and City Angels-Expandables managed to sail through to the quarter-finals.
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“Some of the new teams are really good which means the competition is much tougher; they bring in new ideas and new playing strategies that we are not used to. This means we are going back to the drawing table and working on some aspects that need improvement moving forward,” she said.
“Our squad hasn’t changed much; it’s a very good squad with versatile players who can play more than two or three positions. We also introduced some young players — about four of them — as part of the club’s strategic planning on junior development and we hope in future, through talent nurturing, they will one day represent the club and the nation, just like what their seniors are doing.”
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