Kwa-Thema – Okuhle Boleu (15) is a passionate netball player who occupies the centre and wing attack positions.

Boleu enjoys playing as a wing attacker, saying it gives her the power to control the tempo of the game and direct traffic on the court like a playmaker.

“I started playing when I was eight years old. I gained interest in netball through older girls at school who played together and I loved their uniform. Watching them play beautiful moves while the game looked fun.”

Boleu said her first experience on the court as a player was confusing yet exciting. She explained that she kept forgetting her position and where she was allowed to run on the court, but scoring after her first pass felt like winning a gold medal.

“My parents are the ones who encouraged me to play netball after my rocky start. They reminded me that every great athlete begins as an absolute beginner,” said Boleu.

Her biggest challenge when starting out was a lack of fitness, which she overcame by working hard on her speed and passing abilities. She explained that those are her two key plays that help her outsmart her opponents.

“Another proud moment for me was when we played against Hartbeespoort, I made a great interception and my coach was very proud of me,” she said.

“To improve as a centre, I dedicated my training sessions to high-intensity interval running for stamina, push-ups and agility ladder routines to improve my footwork.

“My primary motivation is the deep desire to see how far my natural talents can take me, combined with the bond I share with my teammates and coach who push me to be better every day.”

Boleu’s role model is her teammate Nondumiso Baloyi, because her work ethic, explosive speed as a midcourt player and humble leadership style are inspiring.

She expressed that her goal is to secure a university netball scholarship, and her long-term dream is to play at the highest international levels.

“I definitely see myself playing netball professionally because the sport is growing rapidly globally, and I want to be a part of that evolution,” she said.

“When I am not on the court, I love spending time with my family and going to church. I also love sketch drawing.”

She highlighted that netball has taught her discipline and time management, which has boosted her self-confidence and taught her how to communicate effectively with different personalities daily.

“I hope people remember me as a smart, resilient defender who always plays cleanly, fairly, and with absolute respect for the game and the opposition,” she concluded.