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.
The federation says the tournament also provided an important platform for assessing the national talent pool, with several players strengthening their case for future national team selection.
Meyer reserves special praise for newcomers Smart Girls and Okamwandi, saying both sides brought something different to the Premier League.
She says Smart Girls impressed with their youthful energy, movement and determination despite facing physically stronger opponents.
“They are characterised by outstanding tenacity, which is a pleasure to watch and will serve them well as the competition progresses,” she says.
Okamwandi also exceeded expectations, with Meyer highlighting the team’s willingness to learn and adapt.
“They have exceptional raw talent and a group of players and staff who are clearly eager to learn. Every time they took the court, you could see they had taken feedback on board and were willing to try new skills and systems,” she says.
Looking at some of the competition’s established sides, Meyer believes Navy Netball Club endured a difficult tournament by their own standards but has already begun addressing the issues identified during the week.
“Navy NC had a disappointing power week, but they have a clear understanding of what went wrong, and I’m confident we will see a very different team in the coming weeks,” she says.
Namibia Correctional Service, meanwhile, showed why they remain one of the strongest teams in the country.
Meyer says the defending champions were pushed hard in several matches but consistently found ways to raise their performance when it mattered most.
“They managed to find another gear when the pressure was on, which is a hallmark of a strong team,” she says.
From a national team perspective, Meyer says the tournament demonstrated why several players continue to feature prominently for the Desert Jewels.
She says many national players were capable of influencing matches almost single-handedly and raising their level when required.
However, she expresses concern over the consistency of some players and the limited court time received by certain national team members.
“We will address these issues appropriately and work with the relevant stakeholders to find suitable solutions,” she says,
Netball Namibia secretary general Jessica Gaomuses says the tournament successfully tested players’ physical fitness, mental toughness and adaptability under pressure, while also exposing them to conditions similar to those experienced at regional and international events.
All matches were played on a newly acquired sprung floor, with many players experiencing the surface for the first time.
