Vaal University of Technology netball coach Puleng Tshabalala hopes her experience will help the girls in their debut season of Varsity Netball.
VUT have not won a match this term, succumbing to four big defeats in their opening games. Their dismal campaign started with a 79-25 defeat to UJ in Johannesburg before NMMU rubbed salt in their wounds with a 57-28 thrashing in Port Elizabeth.
UP-Tuks then put in a dominant 84-22 victory over VUT, whose next opponents Maties got the better of the Vaal students 74-24.
Coach Tshabalala will be concerned about these defeats, but her experience could be key to lifting the girls’ spirits as they go hunting for their first win.
The 47-year-old had a young start to her netball career, starting at Kabelo Primary School.
“I have been playing netball from a very young age, my primary school years till now,” she confirmed.
Tshabalala hails from Secunda and attended and Lethukuthula High School. She says she is looking forward to learning how things are done in the competition after earning her Level Two coaching honours.
“I have acquired a Level Two coaching certificate, and an umpiring certificate. I am also president of the Fezile Dabi netball region in Sasolburg,” she said.
The seasoned netballer says she does not have a rival coaching opponent and wants to learn from the other coaches who have more experience than her.
Tshabalala has also had some national selection experience which will definitely help her chose the best starting seven for VUT.
“I have been a selector for the SA Schools under-19 and under-21. My netball career has been nothing but awesome and amazing,” she says.
VUT’s next match is away to NWU Puk, where Tshabalala will be keen to see her team bag their first win of season.
