The Sunday Mail
NETBALL Super League title winning coach Christopher Simeone believes the national team can become a force to reckon with on the continent if the selection approach is changed.
The Nehanda coach, who bagged the 2014 Netball Super League title, said the country has talented players but needed to consider a change in tactical approach.
“We have the strongest side in Africa, but we are not utilising the players we have,” said Simeone.
“I think our coach should see league teams in action, watch games throughout the season to easily select players.
“A coach should be able to name the team he or she wants with also the contribution of selectors,” said Simeone.
The Zimbabwe netball Gems are coached by Ledwin Dondo, who is assisted by Air Force coach Tapiwa Chirenda.
The team failed to qualify to this year’s World Cup in Sydney, Australia after finishing fourth in the qualifying tournament played in Botswana last September. “We don’t groom players at national team level, we combine stars and there is need for time to work with them if the coach would have seen them play at their clubs,” said Simeone, whose Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services side dominated the 2014 season, losing only one match.
“It is the desire to win, team work and good spirit that gives us the edge over our opponents. I also want to commend the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services for their support in making us full time professional netball players, it has paid off quite well,” said the coach who is in his 13th year as Nehanda mentor.
He praised his defence of Patience Chinhoyi, Sakina Matiza, Victoria Nkomo, Dorothy Siska and Yvonne Madzikangava for a good season.
“Our defence works hard, we have always complained of our shooting especially on the conversion rate, but our defence is good,” he said.
The 42-year-old coach said the Netball Super League has improved in recent years with teams like Stanbic and Glow Petroleum slowly becoming tricky customers. “In recent seasons teams would score centuries, but that has since become scarce as teams are improving, the league is becoming competitive with each passing season.
“So called minnows like Glow Petroleum have improved, Stanbic have become on of the most dangerous teams to play against and all these are signs of how the game has improved,” he said.
