Tell us about your upbringing and how it shaped your interest in netball.
I was raised by my grandmother in the town of Grootfontein in Otjozondjupa region and my mother played netball during her time. I enjoyed watching her play and joined the school team at Frederich Aweseb Secondary School.
Did you have any prior experience playing netball before taking on the role of vice president? If so, which teams did you play for, and what was your experience like?
I played netball for Blue Waters Netball Club and have been part of the Erongo regional team.
Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in netball and take on leadership roles in the sport?
Ever since I was young, I loved watching the game and felt I would be good at it. Even though I didn’t make it to the national team level, I always enjoyed it. In 2015, I decided to try being an umpire, and I received an Africa C grade that took me to South Africa for a schools’ tournament and then, in 2016, to Angola for the Region 5 championship as the national umpire. I believed that if I could not make it on the field of play to represent my country, I could do so as an umpire. The leadership role just went hand in hand with trying to assist my teammates on and off the court, which helped me give back to my community. I was elected to serve as chairperson of Oshana and Erongo regions, respectively. I just want to do more in netball, not just for one region but for the country at large.
Netball can be a challenging journey for many athletes. Could you share some of the difficulties you faced during your netball journey and how you overcame them?
Indeed, it is very challenging, mentally and physically, but I told myself that tomorrow we will go again and I will try my best. I also played for the regional team for five or six years but just could not make it to the national team, but that did not stop me from believing in myself. I believe I can serve my country in a different way, and where I am now, I am finding myself.
Throughout your netball career, who has had the most significant influence on your personal and professional development?
Our former president, Ms, Mutenda; our current president, Rebekka Goagoses; the former SG from Erongo, Mr Afrikaner; and vice president strategy, Connie Samaria
How did they contribute to your growth?
They always believed I had what it took to be good, personally, and professionally. They always pushed me to go the extra mile, and I am grateful to have had them in my corner.
As the vice president of Netball Namibia, how do you find your role, and what responsibilities does it entail?
Exciting, I should say, as I’m responsible for the development and growth of netball in the country.
Can you highlight some of the key mandates or objectives you have as the vice president of Netball Namibia?
To play the sport we love so much in all 14 regions on a highly competitive level.
What do you think about the current state of netball in Namibia?
I think we are on track, thanks to the groundwork done by our former leadership. Netball in Namibia has grown immensely. Looking at how things were 10 years ago and now, you will see that there is a huge difference and change. We now have a top-flight league in the country with a sponsor and teams competing at the highest level, which is just amazing.
Are there any particular challenges or areas for improvement that you believe need attention?
The biggest challenge is funding.
How do you see the future of netball in Namibia?
We are taking up space and becoming a force to reckon with in netball at both the national and international level.
Do you have any specific plans or initiatives you would like to implement to further develop the sport?
Yes, we must also introduce the fast-five playing style and men’s netball in order to align with World Netball in that direction and avoid falling behind when other countries are already doing so.
As the vice president, what are your long-term goals and aspirations for the growth and success of netball in Namibia?
Netball’s long-term growth will be achieved by improving performance, visibility and participation at all levels, both local and international. We established a solid foundation from which to build, but now we must bring netball to every girl child in the country with the assistance of the corporate world.