Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SCHOOLS remain an integral part of sport development as they provide a platform for talent identification and grooming.
And Dominican Convent School is not lagging behind, with some of their learners regularly making the grade in the youth and junior national teams.
The school was this week over the moon, celebrating five of their learners who were selected for Team Zimbabwe at the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games, which got underway in Namibia yesterday.
Convent have five athletes — Ruvimbo Sibanda and Sharon Bare (athletics), Ruvarashe Charuma (table tennis), and Maxine Kulupi and Anita Machuma (karate) — on the strong Team Zimbabwe contingent.
School director of sport, Farai Kanyenze, said they feel honoured to have their learners being part of the national teams.
“It means a lot for us to have representation at the national level. Our athletes perform very well in the sporting field as well as an academic balance in their academics, so we produce a holistic student.”
This is not the first time they have had their students making the regional team. For the previous edition they had three students in the basketball team.
“The school has a policy for each student athlete to have ‘at least two sporting activities’, meaning at any given season the student must participate in a sporting activity.
“This gives them room to explore other sporting disciplines, and also there is continuity in the sporting activities they partake in.
“The school participates in all NASH fixtures and we are also an Associate League member and this gives all our sporting disciplines a chance to play with schools from all over Zimbabwe, and give our athletes the exposure they need,” said Kanyenze.
The policy, combined with dedicated coaches on the ground, is paying off for the school as their students make positive strides that continue to be noticed at national level.
“I am proud of my coaches and all technical staff who put in a lot of effort in imparting skills on the athletes.”
This is the school that also groomed the current International Olympic Committee president and former Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture minister, Kirsty Coventry.
The seven-time Olympic medallist made history when she was elected the first African and female IOC president in March.
Kanyenze said the swimming icon is an inspiration to their students.
“Convent, being Dr Kirsty’s former school, is indeed an inspiration to the student athlete and it also proves beyond doubt that the girl child cannot be looked down upon and can be good athletes.
“We are proud of our school and we are unique in our own way. We focus one developing a well-rounded physically, emotionally, socially and academically empowered student.
“It is important for us to have representation at district, provincial, national, regional and international levels.
“Our athletes are now used to carrying the school and national flags high because despite national selections and representation, Dominican Convent, as a school, takes part in different sports tours throughout the year,” said Kanyenze.
She also encouraged athletes in Namibia to utilise the opportunity and hoist the country’s flag high.
“This gives our ladies a chance to perform and prove themselves in different levels of competitions and platforms.
“I would like to encourage all athletes in Namibia to stay focused and determined. Look at the goal and represent your families, schools, clubs and the country with pride.
“There is power in teamwork and having interests and good sportsmanship. Above all, enjoy the experience,” said Kanyenze.
