Amanda Mynhardt, South African netball player
Amanda Mynhardt, born on 9 January 1986, is a distinguished South African netball player renowned for her formidable presence in the defensive circle. During a pivotal phase of her career, she primarily excelled in the crucial positions of Goalkeeper (GK) and Goal Defence (GD), roles that are fundamental to a team's defensive strategy by disrupting opposing attacks and intercepting passes before they reach the shooting circle. Her exceptional skills and leadership qualities led her to proudly captain the South Africa national netball team, affectionately known as the Proteas, a testament to her influential standing within the sport.
International Competitions and Achievements
Mynhardt's career is marked by her consistent representation of South Africa on the global stage, participating in numerous prestigious international tournaments. Her appearances underscored her vital role within the Proteas squad during significant netball events.
- Commonwealth Games (2010, Delhi): She was a key member of the South African team competing in the multi-sport Commonwealth Games held in Delhi, India, showcasing her talent on a major international sporting platform.
- World Netball Championships (2011, Singapore): Mynhardt prominently featured in the 2011 World Netball Championships, the pinnacle of international netball competition, held in Singapore, where national teams vie for the coveted world title.
Fast5 Netball and Quad-Series Participation
Demonstrating her versatility and adaptability, Amanda Mynhardt was also a prominent figure in the dynamic, fast-paced format of netball, known as Fast5 (formerly the World Netball Series). This modified game emphasizes speed and excitement, often featuring innovative rules to enhance spectator engagement.
- World Netball Series (2010 & 2011, Liverpool, UK): She participated in both the 2010 and 2011 editions of the World Netball Series, held in Liverpool, United Kingdom, which laid the groundwork for the modern Fast5 format.
- Quad-Series Tournament (October 2012, Australia & New Zealand): As part of the Proteas, she travelled to Australia and New Zealand in October 2012 to compete in the highly competitive Quad-Series tournament. This invitational event typically pits the world's top netball nations, including South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and England, against each other, providing invaluable high-level match experience.
- Fast5 Netball World Series (November 2012, Bronze Medal): A significant highlight of her career came in November 2012, when she was an integral member of the Proteas Fast5 team that secured a bronze medal at the 2012 Fast5 Netball World Series. This achievement marked a notable success for South African netball in the shorter, more explosive version of the game.
Professional Club Netball in New Zealand
In 2012, Amanda Mynhardt made a significant career move by venturing overseas to play professional club netball in New Zealand, a country globally recognized for its strong netball pedigree. This move provided her with exposure to one of the world's leading domestic netball environments and further refined her skills against top-tier international talent.
During her time in New Zealand, she was successfully selected into the prestigious North National Provincial Championship (NPC) team. The NPC is a vital domestic competition in New Zealand netball, serving as a crucial pathway for player development and selection into higher-level teams, including the national squad, the Silver Ferns.
A notable aspect of her tenure with the North NPC team was the invaluable opportunity to be coached by Yvonne Willering. Willering is a highly respected figure in international netball, renowned for her extensive experience, including her successful coaching stint with the iconic New Zealand national team, the Silver Ferns. Being coached by such a distinguished individual undoubtedly contributed significantly to Mynhardt's growth as a player.
Frequently Asked Questions about Amanda Mynhardt
- What netball positions did Amanda Mynhardt play?
- Amanda Mynhardt primarily played in the defensive positions of Goalkeeper (GK) and Goal Defence (GD), crucial roles responsible for guarding the shooting circle and preventing opponents from scoring.
- Was Amanda Mynhardt a captain for South Africa?
- Yes, she proudly served as the captain of the South Africa national netball team, known as the Proteas, during a significant period of her career.
- What international tournaments did Amanda Mynhardt compete in?
- She competed in major international events including the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, the 2011 World Netball Championships in Singapore, the 2010 and 2011 World Netball Series (Fast5 predecessor), and the 2012 Fast5 Netball World Series, where she won a bronze medal.
- Did Amanda Mynhardt play club netball outside South Africa?
- Yes, in 2012, she travelled to New Zealand to play club netball and was selected for the North NPC team, where she gained invaluable experience in one of netball's strongest domestic leagues.
- Who coached Amanda Mynhardt in New Zealand?
- While playing for the North NPC team in New Zealand, Amanda Mynhardt had the privilege of being coached by Yvonne Willering, a highly respected former coach of the New Zealand national netball team, the Silver Ferns.