The Sunday Mail
FOR years, Zimbabwean netball has struggled to find a woman good enough to fill the national team’s wing defence position.
Many — veterans and greenhorns alike — have tried and failed to do business in that position.
However, in a 19-year-old who only started playing netball because her school teachers forced her too due to her height, the country appears to have finally found a solution.
Felistus Kwangwa made an impressive national team debut at the Africa Netball Championships in Botswana in September and is being touted as a key member of the team that will participate in next month’s African Union Sports Council Region V U20 Youth Games. Prior to the Botswana mission, Kwangwa was more of a goal defender who was doing well for Netball Super League side, Khami.
The decision to play her at wing defence during the ANC was initially greeted with scepticism, as many pointed to her lack of experience. However, a series of good showings turned critics into praise-singers.
“When the national team coach Ledwine Dondo told me that I would be playing wing defence in Botswana, I was shocked because I had never played in that position before. However, the shock did not turn into fear. I accepted the challenge and did all I could to help the team qualify for the World Cup in Australia.
“Unfortunately, we failed to make it, but as a team we believe we tried our best and are looking forward to the next challenge,” said Kwangwa, who stands 1,73m tall.
The Region V Games, running from December 4 to 15 in Bulawayo, do not offer any ticket to any international tournament.
However, Kwangwa does not want to endure the pain of losing again.
“I have had enough heartbreak for this year. This tournament is being held in Bulawayo, my home town, and as a senior player I need to lead by example. As a player I think I have developed, there is still more to learn though, but I believe we should do well as a team at the Region V games. I wouldn’t want to lose again,” said the young star who has played for both the Under-17 and Under-21 national teams.
Kwangwa has been a regular for Bulawayo at the Zimbabwe National Youth Games, winning a bronze medal in 2012 and silver a year later.
Having recorded a fair bit of success in a sport she initially loathed, the teenager is dreaming big.
“Looking back, it surprises me how much I have achieved from netball. I hated it when I was at Mtshede Primary School, but since I am tall I was forced to play.
“I only started appreciating the game when I was in Form Three at Sikhulile High School after receiving compliments from many coaches. Now that I have broken into the national team my intention is to become a key member of the team and get signed by a foreign team,” she said.
