Netball: South Africa head coach Elize Kotze resigns

Netball South Africa head coach Elize Kotze has resigned from her position due to personal reasons.

In her letter of resignation Kotze said she had experienced a trying time in her life, and for personal reasons beyond her control, had decided to resign as national coach.

Kotze's son has recently spent several weeks in intensive care after being critically ill.

“I am passionate about netball, and have always believed we can compete successfully against the best in the world,” Kotze told South African press.

“Their talent is exponential, and I will be behind them all the way.”

After being appointed head coach in 2011, Kotze guided the Proteas to fifth place in the World Championship with a win against African rivals Malawi in the play-off.

At this year's Commonwealth Games the Malawi Queens gained revenge beating South Africa and pushing them back to sixth in the world rankings.

With the Netball World Cup taking place in Sydney this August, the governing body's focus will now be on finding a new coaching staff in time to prepare.

NSA President Mimi Mthethwa said Kotze’s resignation had come as a shock, but there was still enough time for a new coaching team to prepare the Proteas for the World Championship.

“We will have a team of coaches focusing on different aspects. For instance, while our defensive play is outstanding, we need to be more attacking, so we will have a coach who can develop that style of play,” said Mthethwa.

“The team of coaches will operate under a head coach, and we expect to make that appointment next week.”

“However, we are bringing the former Australian coach, Norma Plummer, out to work with the 15 top players for two weeks in February. Norma was coach of the Australian team that won gold in Singapore in 2011, and she will bring much to our team.”