Elsunet Du Plessis: "I Would Like to See Improvement and Growth in All the Teams I Coach"
As the head coach of the Dr Kenneth Kaunda netball team from Potchefstroom in the North West province, Elsunet Du Plessis is responsible for the team's bronze medal performance at the 2023 SPAR National Netball Championships, which took place in Rustenburg earlier in October 2023.
The NWU alumnus, who has a master's degree in sports science, has experience playing for both the national squad, SPAR Proteas, and the provincial team, North West Flames.
It is Du Plessis's goal to see each team she teaches advance and develop.
In this conversation, we discover more about Elsunet.
Elsunet, thank you for your time and chatting to us. Please tell us about yourself and where you are from?
I was born in Heidelberg Gauteng where I lived till the age of 14. Our family moved to Potchefstroom (North West) and I finished my High School years at Hoër Volkskool. I’m an alumnus of the NWU and obtain my master’s degree in Sport Science.
When and where did your love for sports begin?
Since I can remember sport has been part of my life. I grew up next to the netball and tennis courts. Sport has always been part of my life and I can’t really picture it any other way.
You coach the Dr Kenneth Kaunda netball team that recently won a bronze medal at the SPAR National Netball Championships. Please tell us about your thoughts on the overall tournament and the performance of your team?
We enjoyed the tournament thoroughly. Like any tournament it had its ups and downs. Overall, I think the team really performed well and we were competitive. I loved working with the players and there was an awesome vibe in the team.
What or who inspires you?
To witness players, grow during their journey at university. Coaching allows me to share my knowledge and experience with others, helping them achieve their goals and develop valuable life skills.
What has been some of the challenges you have faced and how did you overcome them?
As a Player: Setbacks in my playing career being it injury or not being selected for teams, are challenges every player are faced with. For me it was just about staying positive and motivated to work even harder.
As a Coach: Starting out as a young Coach in a high-performance environment still playing in the same team as some of the players, I coached at university level. That proved to be challenging and I really had to work very hard in balancing my role as a coach and as a senior player.
What has been some of your career highlights as a player and a coach?
Player: Representing my country at a Netball World Cup and playing for the SPAR Proteas.
Coach: Winning the USSA tournament in 2019 with my NWU team, we did not have the best week, and we were faced with a lot of challenges. But my team pulled it together in the semi-final and we ended up winning gold. Another highlight is the Varsity Netball Semi Final of 2022, where we beat Kovsies on their home soil.
If you were to coach anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Right where I am. Working with student players and being part of their holistic development is very rewarding.
What do you think of the state of netball in the North West province and how can it progress?
I think there is always room for improvement regardless of the team. Our netball community needs to strive to lift our level of training, play and education in our netball.
What’s your advice to aspiring netball players?
Mindset is everything. You must be willing to make sacrifices, work hard and except the help from others. Playing netball is not about you, it’s about the team and how good you can serve them. And never give up on your dreams.
What do you still want to achieve in your career?
I would like to see improvement and growth in all the teams I coach. And it would be very rewarding to be able to finish a Varsity Netball Tournament as champions.
Photo: Supplied