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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
GEMS captain Felisitus Kwangwa believes it’s a matter of time before more local players find their way into other competitive netball leagues around the world.
Kwangwa will have another dance with the Vitality Netball Superleague in the UK next year after Surrey Storm re-signed her for the 2023 season.
The national senior team goal defender became the first player from a local league to break into the Vitality Netball Superleague, which is one of the top leagues in the world when she joined Surrey Storm for the 2021 season.
It will be her third season at the club next year.
Her move has been an inspiration to many and Kwangwa believes the country has the talent.
“I still believe it’s only a matter of time and opportunity. As I always say that chances of us being seen are only at the Netball World Cup because that’s the biggest tournament Zimbabwe would be at.
“If we had a chance to be at the Commonwealth Games, then I was going to say by this time we could have had maybe three or four players who would have joined the other leagues because they would have been exposed during these Games.
“So now fingers crossed that come World Cup next year (something happens). The talent is there and I believe as a team we are going to make it or more girls are going to find their way into the international leagues,” said Kwangwa.
Zimbabwe secured their place at the 2023 Netball World Cup last month at the African region qualifiers in Pretoria, South Africa.
They are one of the four African countries that will be in Cape Town for the tournament.
Kwangwa is looking forward to a more fruitful season with her English side next year after finishing seventh in 2022.
“Now that I am back with Storm, it really means a lot for me. It’s my new home and I think I am going to have a great season again with them.
“And I have a feeling that this coming season we are going to be the champions.
“To be honest, I am quite honoured to be given this opportunity though I wasn’t expecting it… But I am just glad that they believe in me. They believe I can add value to the squad, so that’s why they had to bring me back or they had to re-sign me.
“I was so excited to be honest. I was really glad that my coaches still believe in me and they still need me to be part and parcel of the success of the team.
“So I was happy.
“My expectation for 2023 season is always to perform at my level best whenever I get the opportunity to be on that court.
“And again I just want to really work hard during training so that I improve my game, so that whatever input that I put into the team will be towards the success of the team. So that’s what I am expecting for the 2023 season,” said Kwangwa.
Online Reporter