Netball coaching quality on MasterClass Sports Tours
Picture a coach who’s played at Super League level, refereed hundreds of matches on the ground in South Africa, and still lights up the moment she talks netball. That’s Sue-Ann Botha. She’s the coach you’d want courtside with your students: someone who’s lived the game from every angle, understands what teachers and tour managers need on the ground, and brings real expertise to every session she runs.
In this blog, we sit down with Sue-Ann to hear her story, from her own playing days to what makes MasterClass netball coaching stand out, and why it matters for your students.
She supports our schools and clubs who travel to the destination, but she also referees on the ground, giving her even greater insight into what each team experiences. We Chatted to Sue Ann about her sporting background and how it brought her into her current role, both administratively and on the courts.
Tell us about your journey in sport and how netball became such a big part of your life?
“In South Africa, sport is deeply embedded in our culture and offers meaningful opportunities, from scholarships to career pathways. It quickly became clear that I had a natural aptitude for netball and swimming.
My teachers recognised this early on and encouraged my mom to nurture my talent. From there, my family invested significant time, energy, and resources into supporting my journey in netball as that was what I favoured as a sport. I went on to represent my province (county) in netball from the age of 12 and later competed in the Super League (TNL) for five years as an adult.
Beyond the achievements, what kept me committed was the community – the friendships that made it about far more than the sport itself.”
What first inspired you to move into coaching and working with young athletes?
“In my final year of school, one of the private schools in my area approached me with an opportunity to coach. I took on the role and completed my Level 1 coaching qualification during that time. Shortly thereafter, I was offered a position as a PE teacher at another school.
I quickly discovered how rewarding it is to help young athletes develop their skills and understanding of the game. Being able to lay a strong foundation for them, not just in sport, but in discipline, confidence, and teamwork.”
As a Senior Sales Coordinator, how does your sporting background influence the way you support schools and teachers?
“I feel that I can look at trip enquiries and tours from both sides. I know what works from a company perspective, but also what is best from a coach, tour manager, teacher point of view. This means I can offer a well-informed perspective and offer advice which can really benefit our sports tour leaders.
I also am used to working with kids and a big group of people, so I adapt easily to situations where I need to assist on the ground as well. This ensures that we provide the best on the ground support possible and prioritise our groups at every stage.”
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What makes these events so special is that they bring together children from a wide variety of schools and backgrounds into one destination, where they can not only enjoy everything, the location must offer but also grow through shared experiences.
Sue-Ann Botha
Who or what has had the biggest influence on you as a coach and referee?
“As both a player and a coach, my approach has been shaped by several influential mentors. One of the most impactful coaches was Selma Lessing, who mentored me during my time as a sports coordinator.
As a player and more senior coach, Marchelle Maroun and Precious Mthembu had a profound impact on my development. They elevated my netball skills and understanding far beyond what I thought was possible. Their focus on mastering the basics, such as footwork, movement, and systems, laid the foundation for high-performance netball. Beyond the technical side, they also shaped my mindset, teaching me the value of respect, resilience, and the importance of never giving up on myself or my team.”
What does coaching netball mean to you on a personal level?
“Coaching netball means a great deal to me.
After a significant knee injury and multiple surgeries, I reached a point were continuing to play at a semi-professional level was no longer the right path for me, especially when considering the long-term health of my body.
Coaching has allowed me to stay connected to the sport I love; while also giving me the opportunity to pass on the knowledge and experience, I’ve gained over the years. Being able to guide young players at the start of their journey and hopefully help them grow while avoiding some of the mistakes I made, is incredibly meaningful and fulfilling for me.”
How important is high quality refereeing and coaching for the MasterClass tournaments?
“It’s essential for MCL tournaments. In destinations like Salou and Valkenburg, there are very few local netball teams or competitive structures nearby, meaning the teams travel specifically to receive netball coaching and participate in structured tournaments.
With that in mind, it is important that the standard we deliver must be consistently high, so every team feels it’s worthwhile. For lower-level groups, we focus on basic skills and enjoyment; for stronger teams it’s about refining advanced skills.
Ultimately, good coaches and referees ensure that every player, regardless of ability, is challenged appropriately, supported in their development, and able to take meaningful learning back with them.”
Our MasterClass tours provide an excellent opportunity for your young players to learn from passionate experts, like Sue-Ann. Want to learn more about our MasterClass tournaments?
Sue-Ann’s tops tips for adapting coaching according to age and ability:
- I start with a fun activity that helps you assess the group’s ability
- Plan which skills to focus on (informed by team coaches, or from your own knowledge)
- Simplify drills or increase complexity where needed
- Communicate throughout the session to ensure coaching is helpful
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When playing at home or within local school environments, both coaches and students tend to remain within their comfort zones, but travelling internationally introduces a different mindset and level of awareness.
Sue-Ann Botha
You’ve led netball coaching at our tournaments in the Netherlands for several years: what makes these events so special?
“They bring together children from a wide variety of schools and backgrounds into one destination, where they can not only enjoy everything, the location must offer but also grow through shared experiences.
Netball is at the heart of it, but the real value is the friendships and shared experience it creates – these tournaments build character and social skills, not just sporting ability.”
How do international tournaments enhance the experience for both players and teachers?
“Being in a new country, adapting to different surroundings, and experiencing travel, accommodation, and cultural differences all add a valuable dimension to the experience. This shift not only challenges them mentally but also creates additional opportunities for growth within the sport, broadening perspectives and deepening both personal and sporting development.”
What value do our referees and coaches bring to the events?
“It’s the range of experience and expertise they bring. We unify coaches across all levels of coaching, because our groups also span every ability level. From complete beginners who are just there to have fun, through to competitive players.
On one end of the spectrum, we have coaches who have achieved their Level 1 qualification and are growing their experience while learning alongside participants. At the other end, we have highly experienced coaches who have played and coached at Super League level, including involvement with England men’s squads and other national-level programmes, many of whom hold Level 3 qualifications.
What truly sets us apart is that we don’t offer a one-size-fits-all coaching approach. Instead, we can tailor to all abilities, ensuring that every participant, from beginners to advanced players, receives appropriate, high-quality coaching and an experience suited to their level.”
Do you notice a change in students by the end of the MasterClass experience?
“From the start to the end of a tournament, I often see a clear shift in students.
On day one, many are quite reserved, shy, unsure of themselves, and still finding their place, often holding back for fear of making mistakes.
As the tournament progresses, especially after the first day of coaching, they start to relax, engage more with other schools, and their confidence begins to grow as the environment feels more familiar.
By the end, the change is very noticeable. Quieter students become more vocal, more involved, and often form new friendships while actively contributing within their teams.
It’s one of the most rewarding parts of tournaments is seeing that growth in confidence, connection, and self-expression in such a short space of time.”
Any examples?
“On one of my previous tours, we had a school arrive where the coach openly said most of the players were footballers and had very limited netball experience. They were mainly there for the touring and social experience, not necessarily the competition.
From the start, you could see they were unsure and lacking confidence on court. But over the coaching days, they really engaged, learned quickly, and started to understand the game more.
By the end of the tournament, that same group went on to finish second overall in their pool. What stood out wasn’t just the result, but the shift in confidence and belief. They arrived not seeing themselves as netball players and left with a real sense of achievement and ownership of the game.”
What role do sports tours play in young people’s development?
“I’ve always believed sport plays a really important role in young people’s development, and it’s something I would strongly encourage my own children to do one day, not because they need to be the best, but because of what it teaches them.”
Any proud moments from MasterClass events?
“I’m most proud of being able to successfully run a netball week on a large scale, often with over 100 players involved!
It’s rewarding to see everything come together, from building the overall structure of the week and coordinating the programme, to ensuring that players are exposed to high-quality coaching from multiple coaches and leave with real takeaways.
My role is to ensure the experience runs smoothly, the tournament is well organised, and everything fits together effectively. None of it would be possible without the wider MasterClass team’s prep and behind-the-scenes work – it really is a team effort.”
Finally, what do you hope every school takes away from experiencing one of our sports tours?
“As a South African, I understand that not every child always can travel or experience different parts of the world. That’s why I think these tours are so valuable. They give students the chance to travel with their peers and teachers, experience a new country and culture, and grow both on and off the court.
For many students, these are memories and experiences they will carry with them long after the tour is over.”
Great news if you’re considering a netball tour, Sue-Ann is switching over to our MasterClass team to be on our fantastic sales team.
Get started on an enquiry and Sue-Ann can support you in creating an outstanding tour!
