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Ernelda Plaatjies is the Provincial Manager for Eastern Cape Schools Netball under South African Schools Netball (SASN), where she plays an important role in supporting the development of young netball players across the province. With 16 years of involvement in Eastern Cape schools’ netball, Plaatjies has grown through the ranks, from team manager to coach and now provincial manager, bringing years of experience and passion to the continued growth of the sport.
After obtaining her coaching qualifications, she moved into coaching before taking on her current role, as Provincial Manager. This journey has allowed her to contribute to sport from different roles and gain a deeper understanding of what young players need to develop.
Much of what continues to inspire Plaatjies is the opportunity to create pathways for girls from rural areas and small towns. She has seen first-hand how young players can face significant challenges while still possessing raw talent and believes that providing them with opportunities can help them realise their potential.
“Netball offers young girls much more than an opportunity to play sport. It gives them the chance to travel, meet new people and learn how to work alongside teammates from different backgrounds and communities. Through these experiences, players develop not only as athletes, but also as individuals,” says Plaatjies.
“Showing them that if you work hard and are disciplined enough, doors will open for you and you can reach your dreams,” she adds.
One of the highlights of Plaatjies’ netball career came this year when the Eastern Cape U18 team, where she served as assistant coach, secured bronze at the Telkom National Championships in Boksburg, Johannesburg.
The achievement was made even more meaningful by the journey of one of the players, whose development Plaatjies had followed from an early age. The player was first coached by Plaatjies’ mother when she played U8 and later by Plaatjies herself at U13. This year, that journey reached another milestone when she was named among the Top 35 players of the tournament.
For Plaatjies, moments like this demonstrate the importance of developing players from a young age and creating strong foundations for their future in the sport.
This is where programmes such as PEP mini Netball play an important role. By introducing girls to netball during their formative years, the programme allows them to develop their skills, build confidence and discover their potential, while contributing to the pipeline of future provincial and national players.
After 16 years in Eastern Cape Schools Netball, netball has become deeply intertwined with Plaatjies’ life. From managing teams to coaching and now leading at provincial level, her journey has remained focused on creating opportunities and supporting the next generation of players.
For Plaatjies, netball is no longer simply a sport. It has become a lifelong commitment to developing young talent and helping girls see what is possible when they are allowed to grow.
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