A whole lot of hoop and hope
ROSEBANK – There are many ways to keep fit while having fun, and here is what these women get up to after hours of hard work.
Meet a group of domestic workers who take pride and empower themselves by keeping physically fit while having fun during afternoon netball practices.
From cleaning to washing and ironing laundry, the Team Zoo Lake Netball 36 ladies make time for at least one hour in a day to play netball at Parkview Lawn Tennis Club.
It all began one afternoon, when the now team leader, Ellen Chisi started playing and exercising at the courts accompanied by two to three friends. “Before we knew it, more women started approaching us, wanting to join the club and we are always happy to welcome someone new,” said Chisi.
Apart from just having fun, the netball club team’s coach Bontle Moreo said the team hoped to challenge other netball teams around Rosebank and they were on the verge of applying for a sponsorship to make sure that their fundamental dream came true.
“Our netball ladies are so scared of challenging other teams because there are many teams around and they are mostly made of youngsters,” said Moreo.
“They think they might be full of energy, whereas our team’s age groups range from 18 to 56 years.”
She also thinks it’s unfair that Parkview has all sorts of courts except a netball court. “We are compromising by using a basketball court at the moment, which is one of the reasons we need to get funding. We would love to have our own branded kits and more balls.”
Since it’s almost winter, the sun tends to set quicker and the women expressed how fearful they were of getting mugged as some of them have to walk to Saxonwold and Greenside.
“Maybe it might be better if we get to be escorted to our places by [police] members and get lights at the courts as well,” concluded Moreo.
Ward 87 councillor, Bridget Steer said it was possible for the netball team to get their netball court, as long as the right procedure was followed.
“I am willing to speak to the Community Development Association,” she said. ”
“The first step the netball players can take is to write a motivational letter. I will contact them to discuss the matter but I think what they have initiated is very fantastic. The courts are a community facility and it’s good when they are used by the community.”
What are you and your fellow women doing to empower yourselves? Tweet us on @RK_Gazette.
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