The journey of UJ’s netball coach
AUCKLAND PARK – From almost having no interest in netball, to becoming the countries captain and UJ coach.
How many South African University netball teams can say they have been coached by the country’s national captain? The University of Johannesburg (UJ) can join this elite list as they recently secured the services of the Protea’s captain Bongiwe Msomi as their head coach.
The South African captain, who led the national side to the world cup semi-finals in England earlier this year, joined the UJ operation in August. None of that might have happened had she not gone to watch her friend play the sport at high school. The 31-year-old Msomi recalled how, when she was in Grade 11 at Luthayi High in 2005, she went to watch a netball practice, “When I got there they only had 13 players and as they wanted a full-court practice, the coach was asked if I could join in.”
After some initial hesitation about her ability, Msomi soon adopted netball as her new passion. That was the start of a career which would take her around the world representing her country while also securing contracts to play professionally in both England and Australia.
Having made her mark in the game during the latter stages of her school career, Msomi, who grew up in Hammarsdale near Durban, underlined her ability as a player and leader by captaining the national U21 side in 2009. She graduated to the senior side in 2011 and has captained the national team since 2016, earning a total of 104 caps so far.
Clearly having impressed talent scouts at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland, she received a Facebook message in 2015 about playing professionally in the United Kingdom. Msomi said, “At that stage of my life I really wasn’t exposed to or aware of these sorts of opportunities. I actually thought it was some sort of scam and ignored it until I spoke to my coach a few weeks later and he explained the situation and said it was probably the real thing.”
Having made her mark on the court, she is looking forward to the opportunities which lie ahead in her position as UJ netball manager and coach. “I have an awesome opportunity as a UJ netball coach to showcase what I can do for others through the sport. I am really excited for what lies ahead.”
Guided by her passion, leadership skills, valuable knowledge and experience, confidence, fairness, and time management, she is sure she will be a superstar coach for the Orange Army.
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