Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Netball Association are down to serious business hoping to use their current camp threefold as they intensify their preparations for three upcoming international assignments.
Their senior women’s side, the Gems are preparing for the 2027 Netball World Cup Qualifiers scheduled for Kenya in September.
Developmental side Zambezi Eagles are eyeing a second Telkom Netball League appearance later in the month while the Under-20 team are bracing for the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games slated for Maputo, Mozambique between December 4 and 13.
ZINA have brought in 25 players in camp with preparations for the various competitions already underway.
Association Technical Director John Banda said ZINA have brought into camp a squad composed of players from all the three teams to ensure that they are at par in preparation.
“We are trying to give all our three teams the best preparations that we have, our calendar for the year is quite busy and a lot is happening in a short space of time hence the need for careful planning.”
Notable seniors in the team are interim captain Progress Moyo who bounces back from a three-year sabbatical from the game, Tanaka Makusha, Nicole Muzanenhamo, Nikkie Mundeya, Thandekile Mahlangu, Anifa Luya, Assah Zimusi, Prudence Ndlovu, Faith Mutero and Kelly Muyambo.
On the other hand, Anna Tenisi is part of the crew competing for spots on the Region Five squad where she joins the team that was scouted late last year when the Association laid down their road map for the regional games.
The team is under the mentorship of renowned Gems coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki and assistant Simbarashe Mlambo while Agnes Chiroodza is the team manager.
Head coach Mutsauki is satisfied with the quality at his disposal.
“We have a huge pool of very talented and competitive players; from a technical perspective it is good because it intensifies competition in the camp forcing each player to bring their A-game,” he said.
“The idea is to give each age group enough preparation time; the team are training together and I am largely impressed with how the new and young players are stepping up to fit in.”
The teams are currently working on combinations to ensure that the new players smoothly adopt the Zimbabwean style of play ahead of their different competitions.
Other senior players will join the teams at a later stage to allow for the technical team to finalise their preparations.Mutsauki said those who make it into the final squads will then undergo structured training and intense tactical drills.
“Some of the players are currently committed elsewhere and at this stage we thought we should focus more on the new players and juniors who are still grasping our philosophy,” he said.
“It gives them time for them to adapt and transition comfortably before pressure becomes intense after the arrival of more senior players.
“So far we can see that potential is there so we are confident that we will get as many combinations as we eye silverware from all our teams.”
“To make the youngsters competitive on an international stage, we need to have enough time to focus on training and conditioning, and undergo regular fitness tests to monitor stamina, speed and strength.
He added that they will also have skills sessions focusing on shooting, defense, midcourt transitions and team strategies emphasising largely on discipline and teamwork.
“This will largely help the youngsters to acclimatize to high standards of competition in the national teams and also help us conduct performance monitoring,” said Mutsauki.
“We will also evaluate them through inhouse friendlies while in some cases men’s teams will come for practice matches for us to be able to track consistency in match situations.
“This is where we will also focus on competitive simulations like medical, fitness clearance and tactical balance.”
Mathew Masinge