Maties Netball
"I am thankful to Netball South Africa for deeming me worthy of this position and opportunity."
These were the words of the newly appointed assistant coach of the Spar Proteas Netball team and Gqeberha local Zanele Mdodana.
Netball South Africa (NSA) president Cecilia Molokwane made the big announcement on Wednesday in a special briefing at the Supersport Studios in Johannesburg.
The national treasure in terms of the sport represented the country as a player and captained the national side.
After hanging up her takkies, she took on the role of head coach at the University of Stellenbosch for seven years where she thrived and won back-to-back USSA and Varsity Sports titles.
On the new role, Mdodana says she is honoured that the sport that she has played and served all her life, is opening doors for her.
"It still feels surreal and because I am still in Saudi Arabia and could not share in the excitement and energy when the announcement was made," says Mdodana.
However, the influx of congratulatory messages that have been streaming in, shows how happy netball supporters and the country are for her.
Mdodana is set to be back in the country on 9 March where she will then officially step into her new role.
Other than that, she says credit must be given to her parents, son, and family who allowed her to pursue her dreams.
"I found myself thinking of my mother who passed away in 2021 and how proud she would have been but I am comforted by the fact that she is watching over me."
"And also my son, who has seen the investment I have made in the sport and took the sacrifices as I could not be with him at all times," she adds.
Asked about how and where the offer found her, she relays that when the NSA president called her to make the offer she was in bed and immediately sat up upon hearing the news.
"I just sat there in disbelief as tears rolled down my face."
Apart from the shock, Mdodana says she is looking forward to changing the narrative and transforming what the sport looks like in the country.
Coupled with that, she says she is excited to work with head coach Jenny van Dyk, former head coach of the University of Pretoria.
"People have asked me how Jenny and I are going to work with each other since we have such big personalities, but I am certain that if we just ourselves, we should be fine."
She also mentioned that she admires Van Dyk as a constant worker who does not accept mediocrity and is sure that they are going to complement each other.
Mdodana says her personal goals are to challenge herself and to grow herself otherwise for the country it is to ensure that the standard of netball being played improves, ensuring that players buy into the narrative and that she is on top of her game.
