Mokone aims to fly the South African flag in Trinbago
The learner aims to pursue career in netball.
Boksburg High netball player Oratile Mokone (18) was recently selected to join the South African Fast5 U18 team that will be competing in the Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinbago from August 4 to 11.
Mokone will compete in the Fast5 Netball competition that will take place from August 8 to 10, which is part of the Youth Commonwealth Games.
She started playing netball at the age of seven. She fell in love with the sport.
“I have over the years played for my school’s netball teams and through those opportunities I have represented the provincial teams in the national championships on numerous occasions. I played well in the Telkom Netball Championships in Witbank last year and that paved the way for me to play for the country’s netball team.
“After the competition, I was selected among the 35 players that were identified as the best players in the U17 netball age group in South Africa.
“I was then invited to come for trials in the SA Fats5 U18 team that’s going to compete in Trinbago,” she stated.
“I’m extremely excited and grateful for this opportunity to represent my country. I don’t think anyone expects to make it into the SA team, because there are a lot of talented netball players in the country.
“Even now I have mixed feelings about playing for the team. I’m nervous, but I expect a lot from myself. I believe my hard work, consistency and God-given talent contributed to my selection.”
She is matriculating this year so in 2024 she will miss her school teammates.
“I will continue playing netball after finishing school. It is a great coping mechanism for me, especially when it comes to the stresses of learning. Netball has taught me a lot about discipline and time management.”
Mokone mentioned that she has several favourite players in netball, but the one that stands out for her is her mother.
“I was inspired by my mom to play netball. She often told me stories about her netball career and that drew me closer to the sport.”
Amy du Plooy, a teacher and coach of Mokone at Boksburg High School, said she is proud of the player because she puts in a lot of time, dedication and effort into her craft.
“She deserved this opportunity. She had her fair share of challenges and disappointments, but she never gave up. She loves netball and also plays for the U21 Golden Fireballs team,” said Du Plooy.
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