EX-PROTEA STANDOUT KARLA PRETORIOUS APPOINTED AS THE NEW HEAD COACH OF THE UFS NETBALL TEAM
By: Neo Ntsele
Former Protea player and current specialist coach for KovsieSport Netball, Karla Pretorius, has been named the head coach of the University of the Free State Netball team.
Pretorius will officially take over the position after the 2026 season concludes, succeeding the long-serving Head Coach Burta de Kock upon her retirement.
Coach Burta de Kock will continue to lead KovsieNetball for the rest of this season, wrapping up an outstanding coaching career.
Throughout her tenure, she has been instrumental in establishing KovsieNetball as a formidable presence in university sports, nurturing talented student-athletes, and promoting a culture of excellence both on and off the court.
Commenting on the appointment, Jerry Laka, Director of KovsieSport, stated: "We are thrilled to announce our new Head Coach for KovsieNetball. This appointment is integral to our vision of re-establishing the University of the Free State as a leading force in university netball. The coach brings extensive experience, strong leadership, and a deep understanding of the student-athlete pathway. We are confident that under her leadership, our netball program will continue to thrive both on and off the court."
Having worked with Coach De Kock as a specialist coach, Pretorius offers valuable experience, insight, and continuity to the role.
Her appointment signifies KovsieSport's confidence in her ability to build on the program's strong foundations while continuing to develop student-athletes and striving for excellence at the highest level of university netball.
Pretorius expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead the program.
"The University of the Free State is where I earned my degree, first experienced high-performance netball, gained invaluable experience, and grew significantly as a person. Years later, it also became a place that allowed me to continue learning, developing, and finding my footing in my coaching career.
“To now have the opportunity to take over from Coach Burta and continue the Kovsie legacy she has built is both a huge responsibility and an exciting challenge. I'm looking forward to helping shape the next generation of players and contributing to the continued growth and success of KovsieNetball," said Pretorius.
The University of the Free State KovsieSport remains dedicated to providing an environment where student-athletes can excel academically, personally, and competitively.
This planned leadership transition reflects the university's commitment to continuity, sustainable success, and the ongoing development of the KovsieNetball program.
As Coach De Kock leads the team through her final season, KovsieSport looks forward to celebrating her remarkable contributions while preparing for a smooth transition when Pretorius takes over as Head Coach at the season's end.
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