NETBALL: ‘It’s a Glow season’

AFTER powering Glow Petroleum to their maiden Netball Super League pre-season tournament title, 20-year-old starlet Paidamoyo Tinoza is dreaming big.

The pre-season tourney had traditionally been claimed by giants Nehanda and ZDF in recent years, but an inform Tinoza and company changed all that at Stodart Hall last weekend.

The Kwekwe based side beat defending champions Nehanda 38-28 in the semi-final before stifling Stanbic 19-10 in the final with Tinoza a star performer in both games.

The triumph boosted the goal shooter’s confidence as she now believes that Glow can challenge for the 2015 league title.

“I have grown in confidence and as a team we have also gained confidence,” said the player who is also used as a goal attacker.

“We are targeting this year’s championship and I know with God everything is possible. This season belongs to Glow and we will make it.”

Despite being a leading player at Chiromo Primary and Gwangwava secondary school in Mount Darwin, Tinoza never imagined that one day she would be a glowing national netballer.

However, her talent has seen her going to represent Zimbabwe at two Africa Netball Championships in Malawi 2013 and Botswana last year.

“I never thought someone who comes from rural Mount Darwin would come this far, I thank God,” said Tinoza whose life has been changed by netball.

“I got a scholarship to go to Pamushana Mission in 2011 where Mr Juro and Mr Mlambo boosted my game, they made me a better player.

“From there I was spotted by Glow whom I joined after high school.”

Soja, as she is popularly known in the game, is studying for a Business Degree at the Midlands State University and it’s all because of netball.

“Netball is very important to me, I am now studying for a degree, because of the game.

“I faced financial difficulties, but Glow Petroleum owner Mr Aaron Chinhara paid for all my expenses; he is like a father to me. May the Lord bless him, for what he is doing for me…I only knew him through netball,”she said.

Tinoza’s rise comes at a time where she had a tough outing at the last African Netball Championships where Zimbabwe failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup.

She believes the poor outing in Botswana powered her into raising her game.

“The national team experience helped me a lot. I am now a better player and would like to continue working hard,” said Tinoza.