Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
The Zimbabwe Netball Association are set to sign a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with Netball South Africa, marking a significant step in their partnership with their southern neighbours aimed at improving the game’s standards a in the country.
ZINA are also looking at leveraging NSA’s expertise and successful practices.
The local netball body have been making a deliberate push to nurture talent and forge stronger bonds with their South African counterparts ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Acting president Emmanuel Harawa notes that this agreement will not be a mere formality but a representation of ZINA’s concerted efforts to elevate the standards of netball in the country.
“This, we can only achieve by leveraging the expertise and successful practices of our South African counterparts,” he said.
“By building a partnership with a nation that has excelled in the sport, we aim to create a robust framework for nurturing local talent and improving overall performance on the international stage.”
The implications of this MOU extend beyond immediate talent development but also serve as a catalyst for the professionalisation of netball in Zimbabwe.
By adopting best practices and innovative strategies from South Africa, ZINA will be able to copy and implement fundamental improvements that can enhance growth of the sport.
Improved player development strategies, international standard infrastructure, advanced coaching methodologies are amongst South Africa’s best practices that Zimbabwe can learn from.
With South Africa having done well in attracting sponsorship, marketing the game and making a huge brand out of NSA, Zimbabwe has a lot to learn from them.
However, NSA benefits from strong financial backing, which allows for investments in training facilities, equipment and expert coaching.
In this regard, ZINA will need to explore ways to secure similar institutional support, potentially through partnerships with local companies and Government funding.
While the association have generally enjoyed meaningful support from the Government and corporate world, they need to improve on accountability if they are to retain sponsors.
Harawa said ZINA are committed to work round the clock to uplift netball in Zimbabwe.
“This will also inspire future generations and also increase netball’s popularity and participation rates across the country and this is the starting point,” he said.
Further, this collaboration presents a unique opportunity for ZINA to engage in knowledge exchange and capacity building with the regional powerhouse.
By learning from South Africa’s successes and challenges, Zimbabwe can tailor its approach to meet the specific needs of the local netball community.
