Imelda Nerongo is leading the charge at Netball Namibia (NN) as she has rapidly established her credentials in the netball world. In 2014, Nerongo was roped in as the secretary general, and has since led the charge, which resulted in the federation securing sponsorships from Debmarine Namibia and MTC.

She has also been instrumental in developing and professionalising the game of netball. Nerongo believes that her background as a netball player has equipped her with skills to engage with others and develop an effective relationship as a sports administrator.

Speaking to Tatenda Gondo of G-sport.co.za, Nerongo talks about being the youngest executive board member at the Confederation of Southern African Netball Associations (COSANA), and how sponsorships changed the game of netball in Namibia.

Imelda, thank you for taking time to chat with us. Please, can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

I am never sure of how I should answer that, but Imelda Nerongo is a netballer at heart, mother, wife and a student. I play netball for Tigers Netball Club, and I am currently serving as the secretary general of Netball Namibia (NN), and also hold the same position at the Confederation of Southern African Netball Associations. 

I have also served in many different capacities, including being chairperson of the University of Namibia (Unam)’s netball club between 2007-2009; secretary of the Khomas Netball Region between 2011-2014; and was also public relations officer of Trustco United netball club in 2012. I also own and manage the Netball Vixens Club. 

When and how did you develop an 

interest in sport?

I grew up during an era when it was compulsory to play sports. I recall how our teachers made us stand in a straight line to check our height in order to determine which sport was appropriate. And because I was tall, I ended up being selected to play netball. At that time, I had no clue that this selection was going to be for a lifetime. Apart from netball, I also competed in athletics and darts, but I never compromised my netball.

Was it one of your wishes to become the 

secretary general of Netball Namibia?

I selectively opted to be the secretary general without vanity or self-praise, because I knew that I had the potential to bring the change I always wanted in netball via the position.

We understand you played a pivotal role in securing the sponsorship deal with MTC. Please tell us about that relationship with MTC? 

Include the Debmarine Namibia sponsorship deal as well! You know these two are the biggest sponsors that Namibian netball has ever secured. This, though, was not a solo effort, but a collective board effort. Netball would not have been here if not for the efforts put in by every board member serving with me.

How have these two sponsorships 

changed the game of netball in Namibia?

The game of netball has changed tremendously. Debmarine were the first to recognise the need to invest in women’s sport since 2018. Their investment made it possible for Namibian netball to participate in international competitions, and this saw us earning a World Netball ranking.

Furthermore, communities have benefited from grants that enabled them to resuscitate activities in their regions. We also managed to develop and roll out coaching and umpiring pathways. On the other hand, MTC’s sponsorship has enabled players to be engaged in competitive games throughout the year, providing players with a platform to be scouted by national scouts.

Who is that one sport administrator 

you look up to?

Former Africa Netball president Tebogo Sebogo Lebotse. She is also the former president of Botswana Netball and Africa World Netball Director. She led with the mission of uniting Africa, and her leadership left a mark on me.

What plans do you as secretary general of the Confederation of Southern African Netball Associations have for the region?

I’ve been the as secretary general of the Confederation of Southern African Netball Associationssince November 2019, and I am indeed the youngest board member. I am quite honoured to now be in a position to serve my region.

The experience I’ve have gained on a national level is what I’ll use to transform SADC’s state of netball. In the next two years, in fact starting this year, you will hear of the Confederation of Southern African Netball Associations as we have good plans to resuscitate netball activities.

So far, we have held training activities and introduced pathways for coaching and umpiring, which are aimed at synergising the level of trained officials throughout the region. As the Confederation of Southern African Netball Associations, three of our countries are in the Top 10 on the world rankings, and we aim to grow the number on that table.

We can only do that if we continue playing each other as neighbours because we have the advantage of proximity, and most of us have good rankings.

Looking back at the last five years, do you feel that we have seen an increase of female sports administrators?

There is big interest in sport administration and with netball being a female-dominated sporting code, I am happy with the fact that it’s still women-led, at least throughout Southern Africa. Men do share the leadership platform with us in many different roles in netball, and we do acknowledge that we need them in terms of giving a different view and keeping us on our toes.

In general, I do believe that women-led administrations would benefit many different sporting codes as we are equally able leaders. What I also know is that women would often shy away from being in the realm of sport as they have to play dual roles (mother/wife; etc), and thus drop out of sport altogether earlier than they should.

Long-term involvement in sport reduces with age and onboarding responsibilities when it comes to women. With the turn of the 21st century and the need for promoting healthy lifestyles, this is also changing as we see our men supporting the movement of women remaining in the sport, even if it’s just for health reasons. Therefore, we will also see more women leading sport, going forward.

In the next five years, where do you see yourself in terms of sport administration and leadership?

I’m not sure, but hopefully serving the continent on the African Union Sport Council. My skills are not limited to netball. Hence, I believe I can do more in terms of the sport industry. 

- G-sport.co.za