Bulawayo's ladies netball team growing from strength to strength
The team, which was formed in April last year, is made up of two section teams that often play against each other in practice sessions. Talent scouts continue the search for more players within the ward.
The first sub-team is from the southern end of the ward (Nketa 6 and 8), while their counterparts hail from Nkulumane 5 and these teams practise weekly at Nketa 8 Community Hall and Mabhukudwane Primary School respectively.
The sport does not only seek to properly utilise the ladies’ spare time, it also bridges the gap between the young and old, as there is a broad spread of age groups that play the game in this area.
As they practise and play together, they share ideas and advice on marriage, motherhood, culture and life in general and this helps in knitting together the social fabric that is otherwise under severe strain in these times of social dislocation.
Since its foundation in May last year, the team has played a number of high profile tournaments, such as the one that was held at Nkulumane 12 (W23) last August.
Even though they did not seriously challenge their opponents in the contest, W24 played well for relative newcomers and impressed other teams that, in turn, vowed to practice harder, as the new entrants, hailing from Nketa and Nkulumane, promised to be a threat in the near future.
“They played very well and presented a tough challenge to the other older teams that participated in the tournament. I’m sure that they will only get better as time goes on, especially now that they are practising even harder as they can now see that this is going to take them places and improve their lives one way or another,” said W24 CAT Leader, Elizabeth Mutereko, on the sidelines of a training session at Mabhukudwane Primary School recently.
Despite the abundance of talent, commitment and dedication in the team members, this group of women is challenged by a lack of funds which is hindering travel around the city to play more matches, which improves their skills and builds their team spirit and confidence.
W24 Councillor, Cllr Gideon Mangena, who is also the team’s ex-officio member, equipped the ladies with bibs, that were donated by ZDDT a few years ago, for use as uniforms.
As part of the team’s leadership, W24 CAT Leader, Elizabeth Mutereko, is actively involved in the game, as she is responsible for coordinating match fixtures with neighbouring teams.
They also lack proper kits such as uniforms and balls, a situation that is hampering, but not deterring, the growth of the team.
However, the team’s hopes remain high and members contribute funds which are channelled towards the purchase of refreshments, mending of the balls and meeting other petty expenses that might arise which exemplifies they desire to help themselves.
It is this, “hands up and not hands out” approach by the team that attracted the attention of ZDDT, which encourages self–sufficiency through its “Sebenzela” – work for…your community…your city…your country concept.
The ladies were introduced to ZDDT by the CAT, as part of the Trust’s Councillor driven Community Building Exercise, which seeks to identify needs and resources and promotes social development through team sports.