Maties Netball ended 2015 on a high after hosting the Varsity Netball Final on home turf. With the depth and experience of the present players the team is hoping to go from strength to strength in 2016.

Their second place in the Varsity Sports competition was a huge improvement on their fourth place in the USSA competition earlier the same year and their fourth place in the Varsity Sports competition in 2014.

Their consistent improvement has been ascribed to, among other things, improved fitness levels and superb coaching and support.

Under the guidance of head coach Christine Behan the team has grown tremendously since 2013. Dr Sherylle Calder from EyeGym has been involved with Maties Netball since 2014 while former Proteas coach Elize Kotzé joined the coaching staff in 2016. She will serve as coaching consultant and has already presented a number of coaching sessions in Stellenbosch.

She will serve as coaching consultant and has already presented a number of coaching sessions in Stellenbosch.

"We're pleased that someone of Elize's stature has decided to join Maties Netball and we believe the players will gain a lot from her experience and guidance," says Karen Swart, manager of Maties Netball.

"We are looking forward to improve on our results of last year," she added.

Another possible reason for Maties Netball's improvement is the level of experience among the existing players.

This is evident in the number of players chosen for national and regional teams.

Maties' captain Juline Rossouw was included in the University Sports South Africa (USSA) squad for the World University Netball Championships (WUNC) to be held in Miami in July this year.

The final team will be named closer to the time.

"I'm very grateful for this opportunity, but realise that the hard work starts now. I'm excited about the challenge and willing to put in the effort and sacrifices needed to be successful," says Juline.

Six Maties were selected to attend the SA u.21 training camp in Pretoria in February.

Sasha-Lee Petersen, Nichole Taljaard, Stephanie Brandt, Charmaine Baard, Jo Prins and Anandie Burger were included in the SA u.21 squad in preparation for the u.21 World Cup qualifiers later this year.

In interviews posted on Netball SA's Facebook site, shooter Charmaine described the u.21 training camp as an "amazing learning experience" while Nichole said it was a wonderful opportunity to "train with great players".

Maties Netball players also make up the majority of the 2016 Southern Stings squad for the Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League. Included in the squad are Anandie Burger, Carla Werth, Charmaine Baard, Jo Prins, Juline Rossouw, Megan Gossmann, Nichole Taljaard, Remina Stephan, Sasha-Lee Petersen, Stephanie Brandt, Cindi Pretorius and Abeline Olivier.