BONGIWE Msomi has achieved a number of milestones in her life. From representing the KZN U19 netball team at the SA Games, to representing her country on one of the grandest stages of them all – the Commonwealth Games – the Northlands Primary School teacher has never looked back. Now the 27-year-old can add another accolade to her growing list after she was chosen to represent Surrey Storm in the Netball Superleague in the UK.

The league, which started in January, sees eight franchises from England and Wales, with a mixture of international and local talent, competing for the coveted Superleague title. Surrey finished as Superleague runners-up three time in four years, and the former Hammarsdale resident is hoping she can help the English team triumph in this year’s competition.

Msomi is the third South African to join the league, after SPAR Proteas captain, Maryke Holtzhausen, and defender, Phumza Maweni, were signed to Loughborough Lightning in January.

“I must admit I didn’t know much about the league. The coach, Tamsin Greenway, saw me competing at the Commonwealth Games and asked me if I would play for them. At first I thought it was a trick, I couldn’t believe it, I even asked myself if this was for real. I’m just so excited to be playing for Storm, it’s a first for me competing in an international league.

“I’m under no illusions as to how tough this league is. I’m going to give my everything to the team, and yes, it’s going to be tough, but ultimately it’s an exciting prospect, playing netball with the English international team members in the same team. As a player, the more you play at an elite level such as this, the more it will benefit me. I’ve already learnt so much, and my hope is to pass that on to the youngsters that I coach.”

Her commitments to the SA national team and coaching at the local school have meant that Msomi missed the first half of the Superleague season. The new signing has already made a number of appearances as a Storm player, and has helped the team to a number of victories.

Her most memorable match so far was a 61-39 win against Team Bath at Surrey Sports Park where Msomi was named Player of the Match in that game.