Netball star Monica Gomases is not just a great player, but one who wants to influence the next generation of players. She sat with this publication to share her journey, and what she envisions for netball in the country. 

Can you share how your netball journey started, and what inspired you to pursue the sport at a high level?

I initially started playing in Grade 1, where I immediately fell in love with netball. My first netball coach was so friendly, and always reminded me to work hard. That has been my go-to mindset to this day – keep working hard, and the results will show.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your netball career, and how did you overcome them?

There was a point in my career when I felt like I was no longer at my peak in terms of performance and physical capabilities. During this time, it took a toll on my mental toughness. I had to go back to the basics, reminding myself why I started this journey so many years ago, more importantly, why I am still doing it today. I had to work much harder in training, and make sure I got the basics right. My coaches, teammates and family played a crucial role in helping me through this period.

As a senior player, how do you guide and mentor younger players in your team? I see you are starting an academy as well. How is that going?

Being a senior player means I have the privilege of welcoming and guiding younger players into the team. I take this responsibility very seriously, as I was once a junior, and had others take me in. I often explain terms they are not familiar with. Most importantly, my job is to ensure they feel like they belong, and that they enjoy the game. Starting my own academy has always been a dream. I am excited to give back to the community with my netball experience and knowledge. So many young talents are eager to join. This will definitely be the start of something great.

How do you manage the demands of playing for both your club and the national team? Are you still playing for the University of Johannesburg?

National duty is always the priority. Luckily, the clubs and national team coaches are in contact and work together. This makes balancing league games and national team call-ups easier. No, I don’t play for UJ anymore, but the club will always have a special place in my heart. I am very grateful for the time I spent playing there.

What personal and team goals are you working toward in the coming seasons?

The Debmarine Desert Jewels’ long-term goal is to qualify for the World Cup. In the short-term, we are focused on improving our ranking, taking it game by game.

What do you think needs to be done to further grow netball in Namibia, especially at the grassroots level?

The first step would be ensuring that all coaches follow the same structures from junior to senior levels. This would make it easier to equip young players with the necessary skills to grow into successful athletes. Additionally, playing test matches against other countries would benefit the national team, especially if these matches happen regularly.

– lmupetami@nepc.com.na