Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Netball Association have shelved the umpires/administrators training meant to be part of the benefits of their Memorandum of Understanding with South Africa Netball.
The event, scheduled for Harare at the start of the week, has now been moved to a later date, yet to be confirmed.
ZINA technical director, John Banda, said they are currently awaiting NSA to furnish them with the revised dates.
“The new dates are yet to be finalised, the program is still on so in the meantime we wait for them to furnish us with new dates,” said Banda.
“All courses will run concurrently but with different duration, some of the programs will be conducted in two days while others between four and five days.”
The partnership between the two netball nations, added Banda, represents a significant milestone in the development of the game in the African continent.
As part of the MOU, ZINA aim to improve the level of netball in the country and create a conducive room for the growth of the game.
Currently South African are the force to reckon with in the region, ranking tops on the continent and fourth globally. NSA have also done well administratively over the years, popularising the game and increasing the number of players playing abroad.
Resultantly, ZINA are aiming to benefit significantly from South Africa’s extensive knowledge and experience with the hope of using the knowledge to turn around the local game.
“As our esteemed ‘big sisters’, NSA’s guidance offers us a valuable chance to learn from one of the top-performing netball countries in the world,” said Banda.
“This partnership not only enhances the skills and capabilities of Zimbabweans but also strengthens the overall netball framework within the continent.
“By leveraging NSA’s expertise, we aspire to elevate our competitive standing as we thrive to rise to be a force on the global platform and for us to achieve that we need to adopt a holistic approach.”
Based on the MOU, ZINA and NSA share an agreement that enhances the structures and capabilities of netball in Zimbabwe.
This agreement focuses on several critical aspects, including the training of coaches, umpires, technical officials, team managers and administrators.
By prioritising these areas, both nations seek to foster a more robust netball framework that will ultimately benefit the sport code.
“We had productive discussions with NSA and came up with programs that will help improve netball not only in Zimbabwe but regionally.
“The agreement also outlines strategic areas of cooperation meant to strengthen the structures and competencies within our netball.”
These workshops will cover all tiers of the Zimbabwean netball framework from grassroots initiatives to professional leagues.
However, their major focus will be schools, specifically targeting the Under-14, Under-17 and Under-20 age-groups with the aim of attaining sustainable long-term results.
By focusing on these age groups, said Banda, the association also aims to create a solid foundation for the sport, ensuring that young athletes receive the necessary training and support to excel.
“This approach not only enhances individual skills, but also fosters a sense of teamwork and sportsmanship among participants.
