African Stars Queens fitness coach Kazembire Tjipura says she is overjoyed to guide the team on its fitness journey, drawing on her own experience as a lifelong sportswoman.
Coming from a strong sporting background rather than a traditional fitness coaching pathway, Tjipura’s journey began through participation, personal experience, and a deep passion for physical performance.
She was recommended for the position by her mentor, who also works closely with the team. Having grown up admiring African Stars as a household name, she said applying for the role was a natural decision.
“This appointment means a lot to me, primarily because I have played hockey for the better half of my life, and sport has shaped me into the resilient woman that I am today. I now have the opportunity to give back and build on that as a woman in a male-dominated sport,” Tjipura said.
Although her journey in sports science and fitness coaching is relatively new, she has been involved in sport throughout her life. In 2019, she served as the Sports Student Representative Council member at the University of Namibia and was also an International University Sports Federation (FISU) ambassador. Tjipura is currently working towards obtaining further training and coaching qualifications to strengthen her skills and knowledge in sports performance.
Her fitness and conditioning philosophy centres on training smart rather than simply training hard, with an emphasis on proper movement, gradual progression, and consistency to safely build strength, endurance, and resilience over time.
She credits her passion for fitness coaching to Virginia Tjihero, whom she looks up to as a trailblazer for the girl child in sport.
In her first season with African Stars Queens, Tjipura hopes to see the team not only win matches, but do so with the least injuries.
She views her appointment not as a personal achievement, but as part of a broader shift towards greater inclusion of women in sport.
“While I am transitioning from hockey, this opportunity reflects trust in transferable skills and a willingness to grow women’s representation in football, which I am proud to be part of,” she said. Beyond physical conditioning, Tjipura believes mental strength is equally important, particularly for young and developing players. According to her, mental conditioning builds confidence, encourages accountability, and helps players manage criticism, mistakes, and expectations. “When physical and mental conditioning work together, performance improves significantly,” she said.
Looking ahead, Tjipura’s long-term goal is to give back to the sports fraternity by supporting the development of young athletes.
Drawing from her years of playing experience, she aims to help build strong foundations in fitness, performance and mindset that allow young players to grow and succeed.
