FAST5 Netball World Series Everything You Need To Know – South Africa
The eighth edition of the FAST5 Netball World Series takes place this weekend in Christchurch, New Zealand. Here is everything you need to know from a South African perspective.
The first three years was known as FastNet and was held in England 2009-2011. The next three years were held in Auckland, New Zealand 2012-2014. 2016-2018 it was held in Melbourne, Australia. Netball New Zealand will host the FAST5 Netball World Series from 2022 until 2024. The 2022 and 2023 tournaments will be played in Christchurch.
Only three teams have lifted the trophy – New Zealand seven times, England twice and Australia once.
Competition Records:
Biggest win: 34 goals (New Zealand 52-18 Jamaica, 2012) & (Malawi 46-12 Jamaica, 2016)
Most goals in a match: 89 (New Zealand 58-31 South Africa, 2013)
Most goals by a team: 58 (New Zealand 58-31 South Africa, 2013)
Least goals in a match: 37 (Jamaica 21-16 England, 2011)
Least goals by a team: 8 (Australia 30-8, South Africa, 2014)
South Africa did not compete in the first year of FastNet (2009) as they were ranked outside the top-six.
Their final standings were:
2010 (Liverpool) = 6th (FastNet)
2011 (Liverpool) = 5th (FastNet)
2012 (Auckland) = 3rd (FAST5 NWS)
2013 (Auckland) = 4th (FAST5 NWS)
2014 (Auckland) = 5th (FAST5 NWS)
2016 (Melbourne) = 6th (FAST5 NWS)
2017 (Melbourne) = 5th (FAST5 NWS)
2018 (Melbourne) = 6th (FAST5 NWS)
2022 (Christchurch) = 2nd (FAST5 NWS)
South Africa has played a total of 56 matches, winning 18, losing 37 and one draw (against England).
The 18 wins were over Malawi (six), Jamaica (four), Fiji (two), Australia (two), England (two), Uganda (one) and New Zealand (one).
South Africa beat New Zealand in FAST5 for the very first time in 2022, by one goal (38-37).
South Africa’s best performance in FAST5 was in 2022 when the won the silver medal playing against Australia in the final. 2022 was also the first time Australia won the title.
South Africa’s records:
Biggest win: 25 goals (South Africa 45-20 Jamaica, 2014)
Biggest defeat: 33 goals (New Zealand 52-19 South Africa, 2013)
Most goals scored: 48 (South Africa 48-34 Malawi, 2012)
Least goals scored: 8 (Australia 30-8 South Africa, 2014)
Most goals conceded: 58 (New Zealand 58-31 South Africa, 2013)
Least goals conceded: 17 (South Africa 23-17 Fiji, 2011) & (South Africa 28-17 Malawi, 2017).
Martha Mosahle-Samm is in her second year as head coach. The team was previously coached by Dorette Badenhorst (2018), Elsjé Jordaan (2016 and 2017), Elize Kotzé (2011 and 2014), Lana Krige (2012 and 2013) and Carin Strauss (2010). Mosahle-Samm has the best winning percentage with 66%, followed by Krige with 43%.
Jeanie Steyn is in her second year as captain. She is the sixth player to lead the team and follows in the footsteps of Shadine van der Merwe (2018), Lauren-Lee Christians (2016 and 2017), Maryka Holtzhausen (2013-2014), Simi Mdaka (2012) and Amanda Mynhardt (2010-2011).
The team has had the best winning percentage (66%) under Jeanie Steyn as captain and Martha Mosahle-Samm as coach.
Maryka Holtzhausen with six tournaments (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017) is the most experience South African player in FAST5 netball.
Only three players remain of the 2022 squad that won silver: Shannen Bartlett (VC), Zandré Smit and Jeanie Steyn (C). Seven will make their debut for the SA FAST5 team in 2023: Amber Coraizin, Nozipho Ntshangase, Sian Moore, Nomfundo Mngomezulu, Danielle Van Nieuwenhuysen, Tinita Van Dyk and Ané Retief.
The management team for 2023 is Martha Mosoahle-Samm (Head Coach), Erin Burger (Assistant Coach), Tholakele Nsele (Team Manager) and Narita du Toit (Physiotherapist)
Of the 2023 FAST5 squad, four players have represented the SPAR Proteas on international level: Jeanie Steyn, Nozipho Ntshangase, Sian Moore and Nomfundo Mngomezulu.
The 2023 FAST5 Netball World Series will also mark the first time South Africa’s Men’s FAST5 team competes in the series. The men will face their counterparts from Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand won the men’s final in 2022 against Australia.
South Africa’s FAST5 men’s squad is: Shane Labuschagne, Riyazz Lavendal, William Lethoko, Itumeleng Mohanoe, Njabulo Nekhavhambe, Vukile Zulu, Zakhele Msimango, Athenkosi Pieterse, Kabelo Mahalane and Nico Pieters. The men’s management team for 2023 is Neville Chapepa (Head Coach), Themba Ntuli (Assistant Coach), Olian Thobejane (Team Manager) and Matome Seroto (Physiotherapist).
The FAST5 Netball World Series will be broadcast 11-12 November 2023 LIVE on SuperSport Variety 4 (Channel 209) from 01:15 on 11 November and 00:45 12 November. All times CAT.
*South Africa’s Women’s and Men’s FAST5 matches
11-Nov-2023 England vs South Africa 03:00 CAT
11-Nov-2023 Men: Australia vs South Africa 03:45 CAT
11-Nov-2023 South Africa vs Australia 05:15 CAT
11-Nov-2023 South Africa vs Jamaica 07:45 CAT
12-Nov-2023 New Zealand vs South African 02:30 CAT
12-Nov-2023 Men: New Zealand vs South Africa 03:15 CAT
12-Nov-2023 Malawi vs South Africa 05:30 CAT
12-Nov-2023 Men Final 06:30 CAT
12-Nov-2023 5th/6th Place Play-off 07:20 CAT
12-Nov-2023 3rd/4th Place Play-off 08:10 CAT
12-Nov-2023 Final 09:00 CAT
*Schedule subject to change at short notice.
Some quick rules:
Substitutions: FAST5 includes rolling substitutions, which means a change can be made at any stage of the game, during breaks or during play.
Power Play: The last 90 seconds of playing time in each quarter is designated as the ‘Power Play Period’ for both teams. During the ‘Power Play Period’ all goals scored a doubled.
Centre Passes: All centre passes will be taken by the team that did not score the last goal. The coin toss at the start of the game determine which team takes the first centre pass in each quarter.
The coin toss winner: Chooses the centre pass in either the 1st and 3rd quarters or 2nd and 4th quarters. The coin toss loser: Takes the first centre pass in the quarters not chosen by the winning team.
Goal Scoring: There are three different scoring zones in FAST5. Inner circle (3,5m) for 1 point. Outer circle (3,5m-4,9m) for 2 points. Goal third for the Super Shot 3 points.
Timing: Four six-minute quarters with a four-minute interval at halftime and two-minute intervals after the first and third quarters.
The Team: In FAST5 there’s only five playing positions with two shooters (GS and GA), two defenders (GK and GD) and one midcourter (C).
