Refiloe Nketsa’s homecoming was nothing short of warm and pleasant emotion.
Puma ambassadors Nketsa, together with Owethu Ngubane and Bongiwe Msomi, took to Kokstad for the second leg of the DSTV Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC) powered by Bestmed Medical Scheme national coaching clinics.
The DSNC, a partnership between Multichoice and the SA Schools Netball (SASN), is a platform that provides young athletes 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 been a platform for national coaches and selectors to spot and observe talent.
The three talented players took KwaZulu Natal provincial winners in both Ubuntu and Botho streams through their paces in preparation for the Netball Challenge national finals set for 25 to 26 July at the Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen in Boksburg.
Shayamoya High School and Thembalethu Senior Secondary School were amazed as the trio shared their stories of how netball and school had taken them to where they are today.
Nketsa, who played for Shayamoya as a young girl, says being able to give back to her hometown was fulfilling.
“It is such a humbling experience. I can never overlook the moment when you come back to where you made your name to give back and say thank you. It’s not in the biggest ways you can say thank you but sharing the information that I have learnt, basically, the person I have become.
"I get to show them that this is how I learnt, and this is how I learnt it. It will not be an easy road but coming back to say thank you is a beautiful thing to share,” said Nketsa.
The Spar Proteas centre court player said she was impressed by the level of curiosity and hunger to learn from the players.
“I am amazed at how the players took in information; they are trying to put it into play and experiment with everything to see their level of growth. I understand with such camps there could be an overload of information, but they want to learn.
"They are open to learning and trying to show us the talent and ability they have in wanting to grow their game. It was beautiful to see,” she said.
Ngubane believes that when disadvantaged schools receive regular coaching clinics and life skill education, they can be able to find their way through sports and life.
“We do need new talent, and I think we have talent in KZN. The more there are clinics like this, the more we get to groom good players and make it easier for them to move up to what they want to achieve in life. I love seeing the talent and passion they have for the sport,” said Ngubane.
Thembalethu goal shooter Likhona Mazeka hopes that the teams will take the coaching and apply it against other schools at the nationals.
“I found the experience educational and empowering. It helped develop my self awareness about netball, to strategise and to become more observant of the game. It helped me to develop team work, I knew about teamwork but I didn’t know it can apply against competitors and to your teammates as well.
"I hope we do exceptionally well at the nationals because it would be a shame that these coaches came all the way to such a small town, it would be wrong if we didn’t take their teachings when we play at the nationals. I believe we will do well,” said Mazeka.