Bongiwe Msomi and Kamogelo Maseko were welcomed by loud cheering and screams from eager young netball players attending the Puma and DStv Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC), powered by Bestmed Medical Scheme, training clinic at the Ngwako Ramahlodi Sports Complex in Polokwane.
The day-long coaching clinic was the third in a series of four training sessions led by Puma ambassadors for Ubuntu schools that will be participating in the Netball Challenge national finals set for 25 to 26 July at the Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen in Boksburg.
The DSNC, a partnership between Multichoice and the SA Schools Netball (SASN), is a platform that provides young athletes with an equal opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage.
The competition is divided into two streams, Botho and Ubuntu, for schools in both rural and urban areas. It has served as a platform for national coaches and selectors to identify talent.
Limpopo Ubuntu representatives, Khaiso Secondary School, and Tshiawelo Secondary School learnt the story of Msomi and Maseko’s rise to the national team. They also got to sharpen their netball through drills and matches with the guidance of the duo.
Tshiawelo centre court player, Sadiki Vital, was over the moon to meet her idol. She says she hopes to get to Msomi’s level someday.
“I was so excited and I didn’t know what to say. I am happy because my role model is here. She played centre and wing attack, I play the same position. The way she catches the ball and places it is how I want to play that way as well,” she said.
Former Spar Proteas captain, Msomi reckons that being accessible to young players makes them believe that their dreams are attainable.
“They were so excited to see us and it is something that I never had when I was an upcoming young netball player. For them seeing their role models coming to their area and speaking life in terms of sport and academics is something that even the teachers themselves can be excited about. They really want to learn.
"I think the more we teach them the basic skills before the national finals, it will make them excited to show others what they have learnt. The more we make the sport exciting to up-and-coming players the more they will start seeing the future of our sport,” said Msomi.