NMMU goal and wing defense Nobubele Phuza said Varsity Netball has made players superstars in their universities and community.
Phuza has played in two Varsity Netball seasons and this was her last.
The Madibaz finished the tournament in fifth position, as they did last season, having won three of their seven matches, however they improved their points tally by two, with 16 overall points.
“This season we lost a core of the players that were in the team before. For now NMMU is in the building stages but we did well this season. We were even able to rattle a couple of the top teams,” Phuza explained.
She said the tournament helped her shape her skills in the sport.
“Varsity Netball is a good platform to get exposure. You get to play with people from different levels, the strong teams like UP-Tuks or Kovsies or the less strong ones, the likes of VUT.
“All this, you get to hone your skills. It has made us superstars in our universities and communities. Now girls that play netball in primary or high school look up to us because they saw us playing on this level of high intensity netball.
“Even though there are other tournaments like the senior national champs and the Brutal Fruit but Varsity Netball makes the sport an important sport again. I had great times,” she said.
However, this might not be the last we see of Phuza in explosive netball. She said she would like to contribute to NMMU’s growth in the future.
Phuza praised her coach, Dumisani Chauke on how she has shaped the team.
“Because she is young she has the ability to understand us. She can read us at training when we aren’t able to do certain things or can’t handle situations. She is outspoken and knows how to command respect without making us to feel belittled,” she added.
By Busisiwe Mokwena, Daily Sun sports reporter
