UNITED WARRIORS NETBALL STARS JOIN THE PUMA FAMILY
Cape Town, South Africa – 6 July, 2023 – Global sports company PUMA has signed
partnership agreements with netball stars Refiloe Nketsa and Elmeré van der Berg as part of its
commitment to supporting and empowering women in sport.
Van der Berg and Nketsa join their fellow SPAR Proteas teammates Bongi Msomi, Khanyisa
Chawane and Shadine van der Merwe in the ever-growing PUMA performance family. The five
netball stars are key players in the national squad (Nketsa is one of 3 reserves in the final squad
of 15) which will compete for glory in the Vitality Netball World Cup in Cape Town next month.
“We welcome Refiloe and Elmeré who join their national team mates Bongi, Shadine and
Khanyisa in taking their rightful place in the global PUMA Fam alongside performance stars
across a range of individual and team sports,” said Brett Bellinger, PUMA SA Marketing
Director. “We wish them well in the final preparations for the World Cup where they will do the
brand, themselves and our country proud.”
Van der Berg, who plays in PUMA Accelerate netball trainers, said being selected to the World
Cup team is the culmination of a life-long dream. Addressing the keys to success at the World
Cup, she said: “Faith, commitment, unity, endurance and giving it your all.”
Nketsa, who plays in PUMA Solarstrike netball trainers, said her love of sneakers attracted her
to partner with PUMA: “I am a sneaker freak! Also, the casual style with a sporty tweak is what
has my heart.”
She also had advice for girls chasing their dreams. “Once you put your mind to something, be
sure to break it down and then focus on achieving small pieces as that will eventually lead to
realising the big part of your dream,” she said. “Great things take time. Embrace your journey
and welcome growth.”
PUMA South Africa is the official kit supplier for all teams under the auspices of Netball South
Africa and in March 2023 unveiled the United Warriors kit the SPAR Proteas will wear during the
2023 season. PUMA also produces the official replica and fanwear.
The replica Home and Away kit are available at PUMA.com, at PUMA Retail, Totalsports and
Sportmans Warehouse. Retail price R499. PUMA has also unveiled a range of fanwear across
men’s, women’s and kids’ sizes.
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Refiloe Nketsa Q&A
Refiloe, who is one of 3 reserves in the final World Cup squad of 15, talks all things netball.
- How do you stay focused, with the World Cup dangling in the near future? I go
through my succession plan and track my progress to perform to the best of my abilities. - Why is it special to play a World Cup at home? It is the first ever Netball World Cup
to be hosted on African soil and having home ground advantage is honestly an honour.
We will get to share our journeys with so many people on a world-wide stage and how
lucky can one be than doing that at home. - What makes the Spar Proteas team so strong? The diversity and cultural differences
we have in the team, and the fact that we take pride in our unity. - What will be the keys to World Cup success? Trusting in each other and our
preparation. - Your biggest achievement? Making the World Cup squad of 15. It serves as proof that
all the hard work I have been putting in is recognised by my coaches, who see me as
deserving of representing my country on such a huge stage. - What do you love about your position? The opportunity to think a bit more under
pressure and to outsmart and outplay my opponent. - Which parts of your game have improved the most over the past year? My
attacking skills: how I plan my attacking play against strong opposition. - Your thoughts on the Spar Proteas playing kit designed by PUMA? It is so beautiful
and unique. I love the diversity and detail that went into designing what we as South
Africans portray to the world. - What attracted you to partner with PUMA? The comfort offered on and off the court,
especially the sneakers as I am a sneaker freak! Also, the casual style with a sporty
tweak is what has my heart. - You play in the PUMA Solarstrike Footwear, why do they work for you? The
comfort when running and changing direction on court. The Solarstrike is super spacious
and allows my feet to breath and move with no discomfort. - Your advice to girls who feel there are barriers to their dreams? Once you put your
mind to something, be sure to break it down and the focus on achieving small pieces as
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that will eventually lead to realising the big part of your dream. Great things take time.
Embrace your journey and welcome growth.
- What keeps you hungry for success? The pride one feels after achieving something.
But the true motivation lies in the number of hearts we touch doing what we were
destined to do. - What are you studying at Free State University? I am studying towards a Bachelor of
Social Sciences. After my playing days I aim to work in the sports psychology field, with
a focus on the player’s well-being and catering to the athlete’s needs before they
perform their duties to their club, provincial or national team. - Who has guided your netball career? I got introduced to sports at a young age and
my mother has been my inspiration. The likes of Erin Burger, Phumza Maweni and Karla
Pretorius were big names I looked up to. My coaches in primary and high school paved
the way for me to have a glimpse of what kind of career lay ahead. Now I find myself
being mentored by the best coaches in history, Burta de Kock and Norma Plummer.
Elmeré van der Berg Q&A
Elmeré talks all things netball.
- How do you stay focused when the World Cup is so close? Being selected to the
NWC team has been a lifelong dream for me. It is a huge privilege and only through the
mercy of the Lord. I stay focused, because I need to be my best, not only for myself, but
for my team and country. We have a goal, and everyone must be on form to accomplish
that goal. - What is special about a World Cup at home? The NWC has never been on the
African continent and now it is in South Africa. My home country. I will be able to play in
front of my family and friends - what a great opportunity. - What are the strengths of this Spar Proteas team? We have a goal and are
committed to be our best. Our coaches believe in us and bring out the best in every
player. - What are the keys to World Cup success? Faith, commitment, unity, endurance and
giving it your all. - Your proudest achievements? The most recent victory, the semi-final in the Varsity
Cup against Kovsies, is one of my favourites. That was such a close game. I am also
very grateful to have been named Player of the Tournament. Another favourite victory
was winning the African Cup in 2021. - Tell us about your position? Although playing GS/GA is a lot of pressure, I love being
the one who can make the difference by adding to the score board. You need to have
shooting skills and not allow yourself to be intimidated by the defenders. - How have you progressed as a player over the past 12 months? My movement on
the court and my shooting skills. - Tell us about PUMA’s Spar Proteas playing kit? It is beautiful, colourful and
expresses the diversity of our Rainbow Nation. - What attracted you to partner with PUMA? The clothes are comfortable, and I love
the variety.
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- You play in the PUMA Accelerate Footwear, why do they work for you? My feet feel
comfortable and secure in them. - Who inspired you to play netball? My father who was a professional rugby player and
my mom who played netball were both always there to motivate and encourage me. I
started playing netball in Grade 1 and in high school several opportunities crossed my
path which motivated me to work harder and better myself. - Where do you see yourself when your playing days are over? As a coach who
inspires and uplifts young girls to bring out the best in them and help them achieve their
dreams. - Your advice to girls who feel barriers are blocking their dreams? Always stay
positive. Never give up on your dreams. If a door closes, there will always be a better
one that opens.