The Sunday Mail
Larry Trusida
JACKS of all trades are usually said to be masters of none but Precious Pazani can argue to be a master of all her trades.
The 27-year-old has proven her worth in basketball, athletics and rugby, representing the country in all the three disciplines.
And now Pazani is slowly making a name as a rugby referee after recovering from a ruptured knee that derailed her promising career in 2015.
“I guess sports runs in my blood,” said Pazani.
Calm, cool and consistent in decision making, she is arguably one of the best rugby referees around but Rocky – as Pazani is nicknamed – never imagined herself blowing the whistle.
Her journey to the top started at Admiral Tait Primary School where she was a key member of the athletics team.
After she moved to Roosevelt High School, Pazani continued with athletics but was introduced to basketball and got hooked.
She made the Zimbabwe Under 18 team for the Afrobasket qualifiers and went on to play for local league powerhouses Cameo, Varsity Leopards and Stommers in a career that spurn over a decade.
At the time that she was bouncing the Spalding ball, Pazani also had to focus on athletics as a member of the Zim Colleges team, doing business in 4 x 100 meters and shot put.
Pazani also tried her hand at rugby and rose to be a key member of the Lady Cheetahs, the female sevens national team.
“I only got to know rugby after I followed my friends to a match and I enjoyed it a lot. I took it up and did relatively well.
“Then in 2014 after a match I jokingly said to Abi Kawonza (National 7s coach & referee) that I could actually ref and she urged me to give it a try and I did,” recalled Pazani.
In 2015 things took a nasty turn as Pazani shattered her knee and needed surgery.
When she recovered, the multi-talented sportswoman decided to focus solely on being a rugby referee. Pazani has taken charge of Africa Cup 7s matches and has been an assistant referee at the Africa Gold Cup. Her eyes are firmly focused on breaking into the HSBC circuit, the highest level for women’s rugby.
“I am hungry for success and will keep pushing,” said Pazani.
“I am fortunate enough to have a strong support base, people who believe in me, people who are always ready to support me and that is all one needs.”
