Changing lives on and off the netball court
President of netball in the province and coach of the Rising Stars netball club, Cecilia Molokwane (42) plans to develop sports in communities around Polokwane.
POLOKWANE – The mother of three and wife is the Assistant Manager of Sports and Recreation at the Polokwane Municipality but voluntarily coaches and manages netball in the community.
Molokwane says she has always had a passion for keeping fit and exercise and has played netball from the tender age of 10-years-old. Today, she holds extensive experience and years in the field of sports, especially netball.
She is a former Executive Member of Netball SA, former head coach of the Limpopo u/20 netball team and has helped coach the Proteas netball team.
She says she was motivated to play netball by her sister, back in Bophuthatswana.
“My sister was my inspiration for playing netball. I always looked up to her in terms of succeeding in this industry and today I can proudly say that I have made my mark.”
For the fact that majority of her family are tall, Cecelia says it is Gods will.
“God gave us height for a reason and we are using it,” she said.
As the founder and coach for the Rising Stars netball team in Polokwane, Molokwane shared the benefits of engaging in sports at a young age with Review.
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“Sports can now be considered as a career unlike before when the only sports that received recognition were soccer and rugby. Today, if you play sports and have a passion for it, whichever sports you choose, you do have more chances of succeeding in it. I’ll give you an example of on girl that is part of my netball club, Rising Stars, she now has school funding, bursary, because she plays sports. She is currently attending Mitchell House College. Sports allows you to travel and make friends that will stay with you for long, sports never dies or ends, so the friends that you will make as a sport person will be for life, I am talking from experience,” she explained.
The 42-year-old coach, considers herself as a life coach to the children that she coaches and has coached. She says not only does she advise them on school matters, but also on personal issues that they may be going through.
“I always advise the children to rather put more time and focus in their education as they are still very young and will have time to play and fool around when they have finished their schooling. Fortunately, none of the children I have coached and seen grow, went astray in life. Most of them have completed their tertiary education in their respective choices of qualifications and now work, some with me, some in other perspective fields.” said Molokwane.
She adds that although the sport in her community is developing, she still sees a lot of work that needs to be done to keep it running and growing.
She plans to start a fitness club in Flora Park to try encourage the community to get out of their living rooms and get outside to stretch and exercise.
Molokwane maintains that children who are involved in sports are well disciplined and know how to manage their time as they have to juggle between school and sports.
She pleads with parents to get more active and hands on in their children’s life and sports activities as this will encourage the children to perform at their best and succeed.
