Monique Meyer Plans to be a Great Coach at NWU Vaal
Monique Meyer, a SPAR Proteas netball player, has been appointed head coach at NWU Vaal netball team.
Amanda Dreyer, a longtime coach at Vaal, relinquishes the leadership position to Meyer.
Meyer has played for the SPAR Proteas national team as well as the Saracens Mavericks of the Netball Super League.
Meyer discovered her enthusiasm for sharing her expertise with others while supporting other coaches at clinics. She now wants to do so by providing athletes with the coaching x factor.
We learn what to expect from Monique Meyer's next journey in this article.
Monique, congratulations on your new role as the head coach of NWU Vaal. How did it come about?
I know coach Amanda very well and we have come along way. She told me that she was going to end her successful time, as we share the passion of coaching. I applied and it all just happen from there.
Please tell us about the transition from being a player to a coach?
Throughout all my years of experience as a player I always assisted other coaches at clinics and I found to have a passion for sharing my experience, working with players and helping them to become the best version of themselves. I believe that by being a player I have learned the evolving game of netball and can help other players to evolve with the game. I want to share my knowledge and experience with others and I want to give other players the coaching x-factor I only got at a late stage in my netball career. To become a coach, especially on a university level is a dream of mine and definitely a challenge I can't wait to get my hands on.
What expertise are you going to bring to the team?
My mentor coaches is Coach Dorette Badenhorst, Coach Julene Meyer and Coach Dr Elsje Jordaan. I have played for excellent coaches and I have learned from all of them. I have also played in an international league in England and got to know the setup there as well. They showed me what a great coach look like and that is exactly what I plan to be, a Great Coach!
Are you still going to play for the national team?
Let's just say I will be giving my full attention and focus in my journey as a coach. I will still play netball if I choose to do so and if my responsibilities allow me to.
Where do you want to see yourself as a coach?
Firstly I want to have a positive impact on my players netball career and outlook on life. I want to be a professional evolving coach and stay up to date with the latest skills and strategies. I want to be a coach that can not only coach great players but also turn average players into great players.
Please tell us about your experience as a player abroad, and the lessons you took from there?
I have so many experiences as a player, the good, the bad and the ugly, but all of them made me stronger and the person I am today. Being a SPAR Protea netball player was 'n life long dream and I can with confidence say that I have enjoyed and successfully embraced my netball career as a young player. By playing netball abroad was definitely one of the highlights in my netball career. The lessons I have learned is based on professionalism, growth and determination.
What advice do you have for upcoming netball players?
My advice for upcoming netball players is to stay humble, work hard and don't be afraid to fail. Stay true to yourself and be honest with yourself. Don't let others dim your passion and just enjoy the game.
Photo: @monique_rmeyer(Instagram)