adminLast year the women’s league was inactive due to lack of sponsorship but it is back to business as Western Panthers are determined to give teams from the capital a good run for their money.
The National Rugby League for women is composed of teams such as Old Hararians, Harare Sports Club, Rainbow Sharks, Police and Airforce which are all from Harare.
Western Panthers coach George “Coach Rollo” Mukorera is happy about the resumption of the women’s league and is looking forward to the challenge. Yes the National League is back in full swing and we are prepared to tackle our opponents head on.
“We have been trying to cover a lot of ground in women’s rugby here in Bulawayo. Sevens rugby is a tough sport but this time we are ready and we will give a good account of ourselves,” said Mukorera.
But Panthers are likely to miss a number of their old war horses like Nothando Ndlovu who has retired and Octavia Munemo who is now based in Hwange.
“At the moment I am based in Hwange but whenever Panthers need me I will be available. The team has always been close to my heart and I believe I still have a lot to offer in terms of playing,” said Munemo.
Both Munemo and Ndlovu played many games in the Zimbabwe Pangolins colours but it seems age has finally caught up with Ndlovu.
“I am retired now since I gave it all for both club and country and there is nothing to prove anymore. In fact I should give the youngsters a chance but I will still be involved with rugby because of my vast experience,” said Ndlovu.
Meanwhile, Mukorera has said plans are underway to form another rugby club in the city to complement the efforts of Panthers and widen their player base.
“At the moment I am looking at forming another club like a Bulawayo Select side which will provide the future players for the national team.
“Our biggest challenge is sponsorship because we are not getting any help from the Matabeleland Rugby Football Board. So we are appealing for sponsorship from the corporate world as we try to spread our wings to schools to tap talent.
Last year the city held a schoolgirls rugby tournament which was sponsored by Stanbic. The tournament attracted secondary schools such as Sobukhazi, Msitheli, Mzilikazi and Sizane. Mukorera hopes to make the tournament an annual event as he looks ahead to the 2016 Olympic Games.
“Most of our players are getting old and we must start to plan for the future now by making inroads into schools to identify talent. A lot of girls lose interest in the sport because they lack support from their parents and we need to change the parents’ negative perception,” said Mukorera.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter