Shelly Guni, Sports Reporter
Former Zimbabwe national netball team player, Sthulile Mlotshwa reflects on her achievements and life under the Botswana national team.
Mlotshwa who is now based in Botswana said she left the country in 1994 to persue her netball career which has given her so many accolades over the years.
The now, Botswana national team coach believes hard work and consistent has brought her thus far.
“I left for Botswana in 1994 to join a team called Notwane as a professional player.
“I am still attached to the team but now as a coach. But before i became a coach I was an unpire technical officer, ” she told H-Metro.
She continues:
“Passion, determination and hard work has helped me to be where I am now.
“My experience here has been excellent. My whole life in netball growth and achievements have been in this nation.
“My inspiration comes from each and every player in this nation (Botswana), they respects me and I also don’t choose who to impart the knowledge to even If they are not from my team.
“My first assignment as the Botswana national netball team coach was in 2013 for the Africa Championships which were held in Malawi.”
Since her appointment as the national team coach, she has led various post in netball.
In 2014 she was a technical official for the Africa Youth Games that were held in Botswana, 2015 she was the Bench Manager for Botswana Games.
In 2016 she was named the Bench Manager for Africa Netball Youth Cup Qualifiers.
In 2017 when Botswana hosted the Netball World Youth Cup, she was aalsoa technical official.
In 2017 she was a co-coach for the Africa Netball Championships.
Mlotshwa also holds an Africa Netball technical official certificate.
“I won my first international bronze medal as a coach in 2016 when we participated at the Singapore M1 six nations Cup.
Before she left for Botswana, Mhlotswa used to play for Highlanders Mighty Queens in Bulawayo.
She was part of the Gems team that won silver medal during the All Africa Games that were held in Harare.
She also speaks on a passion for grassroots development.
“I am very passionate about youth development. I have junior teams that i am mentoring, under 20, 15 and 13.
“I believe these are the future hence needs more attention.”
Asked on what she believes should be done for netball to be considered a professional sport in Africa, she said:
“l consider netball is an attractive sport which needs huge amounts of sponsorship to help players reach their highest level of competition and also earn a living.”
– HMETRO
