Andrew
Veronica Gwaze
IT IS highly unlikely that Joice Takaidza’s 10-season record in netball will ever be considered in the same light as some of the world’s most famous streaks, least of all by the player herself, as she doesn’t even remember how many games she has played in her illustrious career.
But now the streak is over for the Zimbabwe senior netball team Goal Shooter.
“My life is and has always been about netball, and every chance that I get to be on the court is a blessing,” said the lanky shooter, who plies her trade for Australia’s Suncorp Super league outfit Olympic Dam.
“Now, to go for months on end without any netball is weird.
“This has been a really awkward year, especially after having been active every season for the past decade.
“I miss netball,” she said.
The reason for Takaidza’s misery, much like every other sportsperson around the world, is the current coronavirus pandemic.
It has, however, been especially excruciating for the seasoned Gems campaigner, who was hoping to take her World Cup momentum into the Australian netball season.
The 37-year-old not only helped Zimbabwe to an eighth-place finish at the Vitality Netball World Cup in Liverpool, UK, last year, but she was among the top 10 goal scorers (198).
The netball prodigy would have been on duty with the Gems at the now-cancelled annual international Debmarine Namibia Pent Series had it not been for Covid-19.
“It is just sad that Covid-19 has affected our sporting seasons, as I would have been on duty with the national team right now,” she said.
The Gems were also scheduled to play at the African Championships in Malawi later next month.
The Young Gems would also have been in action at the African Championships in Uganda.
The junior tourney serves as qualifiers for the Netball World Youth Cup slated for Fiji next year.
Despite her anguish, Takaidza still feels blessed and still views the World Cup experience as an eye-opener.
The fact that her call-up came at a time when she was contemplating early retirement due to a nagging knee injury has not been lost on her either.
“I never expected for that call to come, and had already started preparing for my early retirement,” said Takaidza.
“When it did come, I figured if I was fit enough to play, then I would go and play.
“Luckily, everything worked out for the best and the Gems camp welcomed me with open arms.
“It felt like a family unit there, and I believe that oneness helped us conquer the world,” she said.
One of the former Pamushana shooter’s cherished highlights at the World Cup was taking the first shot of the team’s first game of the tournament – against Sri Lanka.
She capped a fine performance by finishing as Player of Match after the Gems walloped the South Asians 79-49.
Takaidza feels her international exposure helped her with steely nerves.
“It was as scary as it was exciting.
“I looked forward to the first shot and figured that it would calm down the crowd.
“The experience (World Cup) boosted the Gems morale and confidence, and I actually looked forward to us bringing the gold home from the Pent series,” said the mother of three.
Like most sportspersons, she is now training at home and hopes to bounce back on a high when the season resumes.
“Home training is tough, but I have a very supportive family structure.
“The entire Gems squad communicate regularly, motivating and helping each other with training tips and drills.
“We take consolation in the fact that lockdowns are there to reduce the spread of the outbreak, and there surely will be light at the end of the tunnel one day,” said the star, who hails from Zvishavane.
In her 10-year stint in Australia, she has won 18 trophies, eight gold medals, a silver and bronze medal.
In 2010, she was crowned the most Accurate Shooter at the African Championships in South Africa.
Last year, she was honoured at the ZimAchievers Awards Australia.
Online Reporter