New netball club at Florida Lake bursting with the potential of revival

As dilapidated facilities reflect the opportunities available for young athletes, women and young girls have stepped up to cut a path forward.

The new netball club that calls the old tennis courts near the Florida Lake swimming pool home is fittingly called Mvusuludzo Netball Club, with mvusuludzo meaning revival in Tshivenda. Their will to play overcomes all obstacles as prior to recent home matches against a team from Soweto, the players adopted the role of ground staff. Assisted by members of the Make Florida Great Again campaign, they cleared away all the overgrowth on the courts the Friday afternoon before Saturday’s first whistle.

The ladies began playing late last year and when Mmagauta Zwane joined the club she was immediately requested to become the head coach. “This is the sport I love. I have been wanting to play the sport plus reach out to young people in my community, but had no way to. From then onwards my friends on Facebook predominantly started supporting us financially and with other resources like second-hand takkies and sporting outfits,” said Mmagauta.

Sports clubs have the potential to be a vehicle for societal change and individual growth through shared goals and teamwork. “When I was a practicing teacher I believed that children who play stay out of trouble and remain very focused in life. I believe emotional intelligence is built on the sports field,” stated Mmagauta. “I want us to not just focus on sports alone but agriculture as well, by replacing some of the grass around our grounds with vegetables and some of the trees with fruit trees to foster healthy eating habits alongside exercising,” she added.

Mmagauta hopes to bring a vibrancy back to the neglected area and create an environment where families and the game of netball can thrive. “We want to have a youth centre that will be an extension of the school and home where the kids will be assisted with their homework and given food as well to boost their nutrition,” she envisioned.

The fledgling club welcomes all new members and caters for U/15s, U/17s and U/19s, and also has a senior team. Donations toward match costs, second-hand sports apparel and the attendance of home matches by community members will all contribute to the club’s success.