Netball growth in Victoria Falls

Nkosilathi Sibanda, Online Reporter

THE Zambezi Netball Association has created a platform to grow the sport in the city of Victoria Falls, to provide young people a platform to showcase their talent.

In a first of its kind in the resort city, a netball league played for by eight teams was established in April this year, marking the start of what would be one of the “must watch” competitive contests of the game in Matabeleland North province.

Teams in the league so far include Kasambabezi Queens, Bangelo, Golden Stars, Grace Mission Eagles, Discovery, Shooting Stars, Gwanzura, and Corinthians. After nine weeks of play, Kasambabedzi are on top of the league with 24 points, having lost just one game. Bangelo follow closely at second place, tied on same points but separated by a goal difference aggregate of 100 points so far. Golden Stars are third with 18 points on the bag.

The Zambezi Netball Association league, according to its technical advisor, Lastane Tshuma, has went smoothly since April and they endevour to empower the community of Victoria Falls through sport.

He said there are a number of tournaments lined up, in their aim to grow the sport.

“Games have been going on well since we started on 15 April. The league matches are being played every week and in between, we have had matches tournaments,” he said.

“All the teams have done well to maintain their positions in the log table except for Grace Mission Eagles who gained momentum from beating Discovery home and away. However, Corinthians are finding it difficult to play in other matches due to management issues which they are working on. There are major tournaments that we are looking up to such as the Victoria Falls Girls Netball Tournament, International Day of Girl Child Rights commemoration and World Aids Day. We are also planning to have another tournament as we approach World Diabetes Day,” Tshuma said.

Meanwhile, the Zambezi Netball Association has pulled a notch up by launching a magazine as it seeks to reach out and spread knowledge about the game in areas surrounding the city of Victoria Falls.

With this initiative, the Association sought to find better ways to grow the sport of netball in the country’s tourism destination.

In briefing about the magazine, Tshuma said this was one of their marketing strategises as they try to reach out to the community.

“We thought it is wise to create the magazine so that we publish our activities as this will help us to reach out to the communities through the evidence indicating participation in sports. By providing a positive outlet where sports fans can spend their free time and also help relieve weariness, which is one of the biggest factors driving youth crime. Sporting events can be a great facilitator for community engagement and interaction, helping build stronger bonds within neighbourhoods.

“This empowerment is more like cultivating good mental health which brings in an improved psychological well-being such as self-esteem and life satisfaction within the community. The magazine is a great way of raising awareness about issues that affect young people. From health and safety to social issues. Sports magazines can bring attention to these issues and help create a better understanding of self-development,” said Tshuma.