Thamaga steps down as UL volleyball coach

Moyahabo Mabeba

LIMPOPO – Jacob Thamaga (28) has decided to step down from his coaching career and says he will now pursue administration.

Thamaga, the figurehead who has been at the helm of the University of Limpopo’s beach and court volleyball sides, made this announcement over the weekend – this decision raised many eyebrows.

Ahead of the weekend the university conferred him with the Full Colours Award for representing the institution at the 2015 Inter-Provincial Tournament at Wits University from 14 to 18 July when he was head coach of the senior women’s team.

Since Thamaga took the reins at the Turfloop campus, he systematically revolutionised the women’ side, which is currently ranked at the summit of the Limpopo Volleyball Association’s domestic league while the men are in third position.

One of Thamago’s major strides in university sport includes improving the women’s team from position 10 last year to six this year.

He is currently doing some chest-beating, after steering the university men and women’s teams to position one and two in the Capricorn District Volleyball Association Beach Volleyball Tournament two months ago.

The teams represented the province during the Volleyball South Africa (VSA) Beach Tournament but lost in the group stages on home soil.

During an interview with CV on Sunday, Thamaga conceded that being at the helm of the university side is as equally challenging as exhilarating and a learning curve.

“When I assumed the coaching reins at Turf, I found both the men and women teams a bit disorientated. However, there was potential among some players. What was needed was guidance from a tactical coach. We then perfected combinations during practise sessions and with regular game time, the teams became the reckonable forces they are today. Under my tutelage, they gelled and won matches were they mattered most. We have enriched the silverware cabinet they way we both wanted. I hope for the teams’ sake that my successor carries the baton and steers the teams further in the right direct as I have left a solid foundation.”

As he retires from full-time coaching, Thamaga, who is already chairperson of the Capricorn League, says he has already set the tone in motion.

“Under my leadership, we managed to take teams for the first time to the club championships from 20 to 26 September in Cape Town where we improved the provincial standard of the game. This came after the staging of both beach and indoor tourneys. I have already forged relationships with stakeholders like the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Limpopo Sports Academy, district and local municipalities.”

Thamaga said his ultimate wish would be to see players and coaches from his district playing a significant role at VSA.