Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
AS the Gems regroup for another camp, Zimbabwe Netball Association technical director John Banda has said focus will be on coming up with a formidable side for the Celtic Cup and Africa Cup.
The technical team led by coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki has called up 30 players for the camp, who started trooping in on Sunday at Girls High School.
By yesterday afternoon 18 players had reported for camp with indications that the entire unit would assemble today.
The camp will conclude with a tri-nations tournament as Zimbabwe host Botswana and Malawi from October 23 to 25.
The games will also serve as part of their preparations for the Celtic Cup due to take place from November 26 to November 30 in Scotland.
It will be followed by the Africa Netball Cup, slated for December 8 to 14 in Malawi.
The Gems were in camp in August alongside the development side, Zambezi Eagles and wrapped up that meeting with a four-day Test Series featuring Kenya.
Prior to that, the national association conducted trials led by the national team coach, Mutsauki and more players were roped into the development side that also played Kenya during the Test Series.
The 30-member squad regrouping consists of regular Gems players and several players from the development side.
“We had a large team when we got into camp the last time, so the coaches selected players who played against Kenya.
“After that, we asked the coaches to trim the number of players, using players’ performance and statistics collected during the games.
“Now, we have a squad of about 30. So, the whole process here is from the 30 players who are going into camp now, the team is now going to be trimmed down further again to about 15 players.
“Those will make up the Gems team.
“So, that’s our major focus, to come up with a Gems team that will take part in the Celtic Cup and Africa Cup.”
Australia-based Nalani Makunde is part of the squad and Banda said they are hoping to have her join the team when they go for the Celtic Cup.
“The coaches, again, will also use these friendlies to select the final 15 players. Our major focus here, the first thing, is that we are looking at the physical fitness component of our players.
“We need to do quite a lot of work in terms of the physical fitness of players.
“We are also looking at a situation whereby we are saying, as Zimbabwean players, we should also have our own type of, a Zimbabwean type of netball.
“We don’t have tall players . . . If we do not have tall players, then what are we supposed to do?
“We are supposed to play a play that will suit our height and the type of players we have.
“We are also looking at a situation whereby we want coaches, when they are selecting players, we concentrate much on position specific.
“We are emphasising that let us have players having their specific position . . . That’s one of the aspects that we are also looking at,” said Banda.
Zimbabwe took part at the Celtic Cup last year, taking on Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
They won a bronze.
This year’s edition will have six nations, with Namibia and Uganda coming in as the new additions.
Squad
Takadanaishe Zimusi, Prisca Mpofu, Lisa Tanyanyiwa, Blessing Marombo, Androlla Munkuli (Chapungu), Sharon Bwanali, Thandekile Mahlangu, Nikki Mandeya (ZDF), Elizabeth Mushore, Takunda Namwewe (Harare City), Kelly Muyambo, Olishias Nyasha Padoka (Makate), Wadzanai Monalisa Zimunya (Rhinos), Felisitus Kwangwa, Faith Mutero, Thandazile Ndhlovu (Correctional), Anifa Luya, Ruvimbo Pawandiwa, Beaulah Daure (Flow Angels), Perisinevi Tabviroona (Santa Queens), Nicole Muzanenamo, Lynette Dhliwayo, Linda Kamba (Greenfuel), Tanaka Makusha, Ursula Ndlovu, Nobukhosi Ndlovu, Claris Kwaramba, Lesibane Karaso, Prudence Sibanda (Glow Petroleum), and Nalani Makunde (Australia).
Peter Tanyanyiwa