Her passion for netball shines
She intends to make her netball dreams come true and hopes to represent South Africa in 2023 at the Netball World Cup.
At the tender age of 14, Hazel Mhlanga already found her passion playing netball for her school and Bedfordview’s netball club, East Rand Rangers.
She intends to make her netball dreams come true and hopes to represent South Africa in 2023 at the Netball World Cup.
Mhlanga began playing netball in Grade Five at Bedfordview Primary School.
“I really became passionate about the sport while watching university netball matches on television around the time I was 12,” said Mhlanga.
“At trials, about 80 girls show up. Trials go on for a week and then it boils down to 18 girls. Knowing you made it out of so many other players means you need to work even harder to prove yourself. I will always fly my school flag for Jeppe High School for Girls with pride,” said Mhlanga.
She plays goal defence and centre.
“Playing centre is quite exhausting because it is the only player in a team who works in all three-thirds of the court. The centre helps both the defence side and the attacking side.”
She believes a true netball player can play any position.
Some of her recent achievements include full colors and a gold medal for playing for the East Rand Rangers.
She received the award for Most Improved Player and Player of the Match for the Netball Freaks Bash Tournament when she represented her school.
Mhlanga has been part of the East Rand Rangers since 2019.
“I joined the team because there is nothing better than giving my free time to something I adore.”
She found a mentor in her coach at the East Rand Rangers, Lucy Mbambo.
“She gave me a chance to be part of a winning team.”
She refers to Mbambo as a second mother to many of the players.
Mhlanga encouraged anyone in the Bedfordview and surrounding areas of the community to support the East Rand Rangers.
