Namibia: Toetsie Shows Grit in UK

Carlos Kambaekwa

31 March 2011

Windhoek — Emerging Namibian sharp-shooter Jatjinda “Toetsie” Kambatuku has fitted like a hand in a glove into the tough rigours of international netball where she plies her trade with Newcastle-based Northumbria Netball Club

The gangling goal shooter has so far featured in two tough matches for her new club and although she found herself on the short end of the stick on both encounters – her shooting percentage has shot up from 72% to 86.5% in only her second test at the highest level of club netball.

Toetsie was on the losing side when her team suffered a 69-39 defeat at the hands of Northern Thunder in her debut match – and endured another defeat (67-40) against the rampant Celtic Dragons in her second match in the highly competitive English netball league on Sunday.

“It was a very tough and physical match, but I must confess I’m quite happy with my overall performance and personal contribution because my shooting rate was 72% in the first game and improved quite significantly to 86.5% in the second match.

“The standard of netball is very high and the competition is very tough here in England, with lots of emphasis placed on tactics and well planned build-ups – something that I was not accustomed to back in Namibia,” wrote Toetsie from Newcastle.

The beanpole wunderkind of Namibian netball has promised to plough back the experience gained through her involvement with Northumbria Netball Club into domestic netball when she returns to her native land after the expiry of her 11-week loan period.

She will be back in action again on Saturday when Northumbria takes on the equally dangerous Mavericks and she hopes to finish on the winning side after two consecutive defeats.

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