Many Tembisan sport tournaments focus on male sport to keep young people busy but Nomadlozi Mashiloane strives to change that.
Nomadlozi (20) is currently a determined netball sport co-ordinator at Mosehla community development organisation.
Her responsibilities involve making sure that everything goes according to plan at the upcoming Adelaide Mosehla Netball tournament.
“The tournament will kick off on September 23 till September 24 and 16 teams will compete for a first prize of R20 000 and a second prize of R10 000,” said Nomadlozi.
She is not a novice netball player as she was captain of her school’s team.
“I started off as a volleyball player at primary level until high school. When volleyball was fazed out in high school, I joined netball and subsequently became a good payer,” said Nomadlozi.
She said it was unfortunate that at some point she had to stop her involvement in the sport for a while because of her new responsibilities of serving on the Representative Council of Learners (RCL).
“I was the executive secretary of the RCL. Post matric – I am currently taking a gap year, but I am still involved in sport.
If I go back to studying, I will pursue a Bachelor of Education degree. I am choosing teaching because it will allow me more time to serve the community – especially during school holidays,” Normadlozi explained.
She said she also believes netball can play a crucial role in keeping young girls away from substance and alcohol abuse. Her main objective is to be in the forefront of developing the sport in the township.
“Being the co-ordinator of the Adelaide Mosehla Netball tournament gives me a chance to be a positive example and an inspiration to young girls and the youth at large.
For young people it is easier to fall into the trap of getting involved in destructive activities that can affect both their present and future. I am hellbent on ensuring these young township women do not commit the same mistakes made by a majority of young girls namely getting pregnant,” she said.
“I am not a saint, I am only human and I have made my own mistakes – I had a child at a tender age. As a result I faced the challenges of balancing being a young mother and a committed student in Grade Eleven. I can not sit and feel sorry for myself because that would be the end of my dreams. I want to use my experiences to discourage young people from falling pregnant at a young age.”
She said when she saw a post on social network that Mosehla community development organisation was looking for a netball sport co-ordinator, she applied immediately.
“I was called in for an interview like all the other applicants and I was fortunate to be awarded a chance to empower young people.
I call on the community, netball coaches and netball players to co-operate and use proper communication channels to ensure that the Adelaide Mosehla Netball tournament becomes a success. Let’s maintain a professional level of respect because the tournament is for the benefit of the entire community and it will put our township in a positive light,” said Nomadlozi.
She said Adelaide Mosehla Netball tournament will be hosted at Mehlareng Tennis Court from 10am until late.
“Closing date for registrations will be September 10. The tournament aims to raise awareness about violence against women, under the theme: ‘Stop killing our sisters’,” said Nomadlozi.
Teams that are interested and want to register can call 061 269 5911.
