Online Reporter
Media Mpofu, Zimpapers Sports Hub
BEKEZELA Ndlovu refuses to watch women’s volleyball in Zimbabwe fade into the shadows. The passionate Bulawayo Vipers head coach is on a relentless mission to revive the sport, ensuring that young girls have a clear pathway from grassroots to elite competition. Her ultimate dream? To establish a strong women’s team in the national league and create a structured development system that guarantees sustainability.
For Ndlovu, the foundation of sustainable development lies in well-organised structures. She is already making strides, with the recent addition of Ntabazinduna Academy to the Bulawayo provincial league, joining Vipers, Raiders, Lycans and Chimoio in competition.
Having launched Bulawayo Vipers in 2020, Ndlovu envisioned a bridge between junior and senior volleyball, ensuring young girls received structured training and development. That vision bore fruit last week when her team clinched victory at the Zimbabwe Liberated Girl Child In Action tournament, a testament to the rising interest in the sport.
“The sport is growing, and we are seeing more activity in secondary schools,” said Ndlovu. “More schoolgirls are joining clubs, and we are hoping even more high schools will enter the league. We are also looking forward to local colleges and universities coming on board. If institutions register, we can expand our reach and get more women involved in the game.”
Her philosophy is simple yet profound: quality over quantity.
“My motto has always been ‘anything for women, by women, and with women—of quality, and they must be the quality,’” she said.
However, the journey is not without its struggles. Financial constraints continue to be a major hurdle, with teams and clubs finding it difficult to secure sponsorship.
“Volleyball is not spared from financial challenges. We struggle with sponsorship, and if we could get funding to cover affiliation fees, transport and other needs, it would go a long way in stabilising teams,” Ndlovu said.
Despite these difficulties, she remains steadfast in her vision of establishing a junior league. Young players train through grassroots programmes at primary and secondary schools but are forced to compete alongside senior players at club level.
“Our goal is to create a dedicated junior league. That way, we can properly develop talent from a young age and strengthen women’s volleyball in Zimbabwe for the long term,” Ndlovu said.
With passion, resilience and a clear vision, Ndlovu is spearheading a movement that could redefine the future of women’s volleyball in Zimbabwe.
