Netball teams ramp up preps for new season

**Daphine Agere, with Gems captain best friend ever, Perpetual Siyachitema**

Zim Now Writer

Chitungwiza-based netball sides, Sweet Valley, Anatoth and Diamond held a mini tournament at Zengeza 2 Shopping Centre on Saturday as they prepare their sides for the coming season.

This comes as the netball season is yet to begin and several teams are putting final touches to their sides, sharpening them to be competitive for next term.

Sweet Valley team manager, Hellen Marumahoko said people must start to take them seriously as they aim to push for a top-four finish this coming season.

Last season, Sweet Valley finished eighth out of 16 teams.

“We are sessioning with two other teams, Diamond and Anatoth, who also come from Chitungwiza. Besides preparing for the new season, we will also be looking for players.

“One of our big challenges is access to playing grounds. We have written to the Sports and Recreation Commission, asking for permission to use the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.

“We have a strong team but our predicament has been that most of our big players end up being snatched by bigger clubs with financial muscle as they have sponsors.

Former Zimbabwe senior netball team player Daphine Agere, who is part of Sweet harmony as captain and player assistant coach said the Saturday exercise was something like a team-building session for the 2024 season.

“We are also trying to source players from the other clubs with the hope that we will be able to get sponsorship and challenge for honours in the netball league,” said Agere,who has also played for Gaths Mine, Trojan Nickel Mine, NRZ, Hwange Colliery, ZRP PPU and ZDF Queens.

At 48 now, Agere says she still fells she should play.

“I have a passion for netball, I have the talent. I eat netball, drink netball, sleep netball and do everything netball. I have been able to send my children to school through netball and I would like all the young people out there never to give up. Pursue your career, you can go far,” Agere told Zim Now.

Agere also said that being involved in sport can help keep people out of trouble, especially these days when the world, Zimbabwe included, is battling the drugs and dangerous substances scourge.

“When you are involved in sport, there is not time for silly things. We do not want youths dabbling in drugs, in line with the national motto ‘No to drugs and dangerous substances’. These things are real and have the potential to destroy a person’s life. So, people must keep busy,” she said.