The Free State Crinums are upbeat ahead of their title defence in the Netball Premier League.
Being the title holders, the pressure is on the Crinums going into the second year of the competition.
While the team will once again feature the Proteas trio of Maryke Holtzhauzen, Adele Niemand and Carla Mostert, the team has added quite a few new faces to its roster and sees a good mix of youth and experience.
Coach Burta de Kock said that although there are plenty of rookies, it’s difficult to call them that because the majority are current Varsity Netball champions. De Kock added that it’s the first time in a very long time that they will feel comfortable releasing their Proteas for international duty.
"It’s really the first year that one isn’t petrified of losing the Proteas players. The youngsters who have been coming to the party are amazing," the coach said.
"It’s important to use the experience when you have it at your disposal, take a player like Adele off for example, and field an inexperienced youngster alongside Carla," she said about the make-up of the squad.
"We are blessed, I’m a truly blessed coach because we have the tremendous variation of players at our disposal," De Kock added.
The 2015 Premier League Netball will once against be played at the University of Pretoria and runs from 8 May until 7 June.
