THE preparations of the national netball squad, the Proteas, for the crucial Tri-Nations and World Championships have been thrown into turmoil.

Head coach Carin Strauss and her assistant Cecilia Molokwane have resigned.

Strauss dropped a bombshell when she resigned on Monday and Molokwane called it quits the next day. They cited personal reasons for their decision to leave the national body in the lurch.

Netball SA president Mimi Mthethwa said: "We accepted their resignations."

The latest developments at NSA paint a picture of a federation in crisis but this suggestion was vehemently dismissed by Mthethwa.

She believes they will have a plan in place for the year ahead. "The executive committee has plans in place to ensure that the Spar national team performs to the best of their ability," Mthethwa said.

"We will appoint a panel of nine coaches under the leadership of director of coaching Benny Saayman."

Strauss, who was appointed in 2008, said it was not an easy decision to resign.

"The post of national coach is not a full-time one and I think it's time to concentrate on my career in school netball (as) well as my own netball academy," She said.

"I have enjoyed my time with the national team and wish them everything of the best in future. I will continue to contribute to the development of netball in South Africa through my work with the schools."

Molokwane was not available for comment.

The Proteas will compete in the Tri-Nations in May and World Championships in Singapore in July.