dyton mupawaenda
Veronica Gwaze-Sports Reporter
FOR every team that the celebrated Tafadzwa Matura turns out for, she becomes a major highlight.
The Nedbank Premier Netball League Shooter has in the past five years trotted between Falcon Queens, ZDF Queens and current side Black Rhinos.
She walked away a winner at the weekend when she was crowned Player of the Bubble at the games played in Gweru.
The National Army outfit outclassed City Angels Gweru 58-28 before narrowly over powering JT High Fliers 34-33.
Her performances left fans buzzing as she got off to an impressive start for PNL in the second half of the season.
Despite playing a crucial role in the team’s fine run, Matura, a known workaholic, paid tribute to her teammates.
“I may have emerged as a standout player at the bubble but I believe it is my teammates who made it possible,” she said.
“Not only did they supply the crucial passes but the way we stood as a team and covered up for each other made everything easy.”
In other bubbles played across the weekend, Assah Zimusi , Cynthia Nyatondo and Natasha Pirimu walked away with special recognitions in Beit Bridge, Mutare and Harare respectively.
Interestingly, Matura who has begged countless accolades both at club and national team level has a fascinating history.
During her primary school days at Gawa, in Bikita the Gem hated netball.
Instead, her heart was athletics, especially the short distance races and Volleyball.
“My brother was a netball coach at the school so based on my height, he forced me into netball.
“I would skip training in resistance but he was so determined and used to punish me,” she recalled.
To evade punishment, she had to comply.
Proving to be a natural, in no time, she rose to be the school team’s stand out player and first choice shooter for her agility and on court-art.
After bagging several accolades during her days at Tamuka Secondary, she got a scholarship to complete her studies at Pamushana Mission School.
In 2012, she joined Harare City Queens, before finding a home at Air Force side, Falcon Queens, the following year.
She later got employed within the Airforce of Zimbabwe ranks before getting her first national team call up in 2016.
Bursting on the international scene, she set ablaze the arena on her debut at the Pent series in Namibia.
Later she was to be a regular feature for the Gems where she is now one of the senior and most unstoppable players.
Throughout the teams, she is one arguably one of the country’s best talents.
“What I have learnt over the years is that there are no shortcuts in sport so the only way out is hard work,” she said.
“Back in the day, sponsorship was a huge challenge to an extent that we had to do it for passion and nothing in return but here we are now.
“I have worked hard through the journey and invested a lot of extra hours and discipline.
“Bagging individual accolades like this is a huge confidence booster for me to keep pushing harder.
Results
Harare City 28-32 Beit Bridge Stars
Falcon Manyame 76-18 Argistars
Harare City 43-32 Falcon Manyame
Argistars24-85 Harare City
Falcon Manyame 31- 60 Beit Bridge Stars
7 Flames 49-32 Marondera
Mutare City 27-29 Harare District
Mutare City 30- 71 ZDF Queens
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