Netball Team Strives to Elevate Sport at UKZN
The University’s netball team has taken on the challenge of elevating sport at UKZN with its official announcement of its star-studded coaching staff and top-performing league players.
As the second most popular sport at the Institution after soccer, the UKZN netball team has showcased its determination and grit by climbing the ranks in regional leagues guided by Senior Sports Officer, Mrs Zilungile Ntombela.
Ntombela, who has shared the team’s growth and trajectory, says UKZN has moved up three places from Group C to the Premier Regional League, and maintained their position in the Super League – the highest-ranking league in the province – for more than three years.
Having recently held trials on UKZN’s five campuses to select the top 25 players, Ntombela said the University was serious was about developing talent and acquiring the best of the best in training personnel. They currently have former Proteas national player, Precious Mthembu as Head Coach, with Proteas player, Rayray Vava, as Assistant Coach.
With 97 caps for the national team, Mthembu, who also coaches the Under 21 Spar Proteas implored the players to maintain a balance between their sport and academics while remaining committed to training and the team.
Announcing the top 25 players, Mthembu also made a special mention of the five players who had been selected to be part of the Telkom National League, representing KwaZulu-Natal: Asanda Ndaba, Tyrah Scott, Grace Delay, Andiswa Mbanjwa and Amber Thompson.
‘My efforts have resulted in these players being selected to join the national squad. This has ticked a box for me as a coach and in my career generally, because that’s what I aspire to achieve – to get at least one or two players called up every year to the national level.’
SRC President, Mr Siyabonga Mlondo, commented on UKZN’s aim of reviving sport and making 2025 the year for it to be a flagship within the Institution. Mlondo said the SRC pledged to be part of that vision by mobilising its members in support of that movement and urged the athletes to wear their sporting regalia with pride and represent the Institution well.
In his closing remarks, Dean of Student Services Professor Percy Sepeng lauded the achievements of the sporting staff and shared the divisions sporting vision to make UKZN one of the top five sporting universities in South Africa. Sepeng said he was excited to see the diversity within the netball sporting code and how sport could be used to attract potential students while working to adhere to the University’s Strategic Goal 2 of providing an excellent student experience.
Former UKZN Sports co-ordinator, Ms Nomkhosi Ndlovu, who recently joined the Mangosuthu University of Technology applauded the Institution for its goal of growing netball at UKZN.
With Mthembu as an expert in defence and Vava an ace on attack, the team looks forward to dominating the University Sports South Africa (USSA) games in July, while encouraging a growth in participation in the male netball scene as well as developing their own male netball club.
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela
Photographs: Andile Ndlovu
