It’s not all in a name

10 Jul, 2016 - 02:07 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Brighton Zhawi
MANY easily – and mistakenly – assume that a netball coach by the name Ropafadzo is female. National team assistant coach and Young Gems mentor Ropafadzo Mutsauki has had to deal with that misconception for 19 years. “At first I used to take offence but now I am cool about it. To me what is important is the meaning of the name and not the fact that some people believe it’s a female name,” he said.

However, the 40-year-old gaffer admits that working in a female environment comes with its fair of challenges.

“Coaching women is not an easy thing, it demands a lot of self-discipline,” said Mutsauki. “You come across several temptations and if you slacken you will always be in trouble. I am grateful I believe in God and a member of an apostolic sect, it helps me overcome such situations.

“A good 19 years of dealing with females of different ages has helped me understand their behaviours and challenges. Usually a player that looks for favours from the coach is dangerous and such players can affect the team’s play and you have to denounce it in front of her teammates and clear the air.”

Mutsauki’s trophy cabinet has gold and bronze medals from international youth competitions, a gold accolade from last year’s Region V Games and bronze won in South Africa in 2008.

His next mission is to take the Young Gems to the World Youth Cup and that can only happen if Zimbabwe finish among the top three at this month’s qualifying tourney in Botswana.

“It sounds easy but I am afraid it’s not. Netball is changing and we have to play well from game one to the last,” Mutsauki said.

Mutsauki’s netball coaching journey began in 1997.

“I started off as a supporter but in 1997 I coached my first team while also continuing as a soccer player for Fawcett until 1999. My brother coached Chifamba Queens in Division Two, but left me with the team when he got a coaching job elsewhere.

“I then moved to Trust Bank and I led them into the Super League. However, I could not stay long at the club because I met my wife there and didn’t want to be her coach,” he recalled.

Mutsauki’s wife, Portia Kadungure, has retired from the game but continues to offer her man “all the support” he needs.

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