Limpopo Baobabs appoint Redhill School’s netball head as assistant coach

Redhill School’s head of netball coach Ashleigh Gray has recently been appointed as the assistant coach for the Limpopo Baobabs, a top division team competing in South Africa’s prestigious Telkom Netball League (TNL).

Over the past nine years, she has worked closely with children, coaching various skills daily, with a special focus on swimming and netball sports in which she has excelled herself.

Her commitment to continuous development is evident as she regularly updates her coaching qualifications, attends seminars, and actively competes at the provincial level.

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Gray’s involvement with Limpopo netball has been a pivotal part of her journey. “After captaining the Limpopo Lilies for two years, and coaching their U19 team at the 2024 TNC, I was approached to interview for the assistant coach role with the Baobabs.”

However, her resilience was tested when she suffered a serious injury rupturing her ACL and tearing her meniscus during last year’s championships. “Instead of stepping away, I saw coaching as a way to stay connected to the game I love, and being offered this position felt like a silver lining in that journey.

“This opportunity feels like the start of a new chapter. Professionally, it’s a major step forward. An opportunity to grow in high-performance coaching, while still focusing on my recovery.”

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Balancing her new role with her responsibilities as head of netball at Redhill requires strategic planning. Gray emphasises the importance of time management, clear communication, and delegation. “I’m fortunate to have strong support at Redhill, and I’ve always thrived under pressure. Learning from such experienced coaches can only benefit Redhill, as, by extension, I impart that to our players.”

She believes her experience leading Redhill through a remarkable rise from rank 82 to a top 10 national position has prepared her well for the high demands of TNL. “Redhill has been a place of immense growth, and my injury actually sharpened my leadership off the court. It pushed me into deeper mentorship roles and helped me grow more confident in my coaching voice.

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“Leading a programme that’s climbed from rank 82 to top 10 nationally demanded vision, discipline, and adaptability qualities, that I know will serve me well in the TNL.”

Gray said her primary goal is to instill structure, energy, and confidence within the team. She aims to foster a high-performance mindset, encouraging players to own their roles, both on and off the court. “I would love to one day coach a TNL team as head coach, and, ultimately, be involved with the Spar Proteas in some capacity. I’m passionate about developing the next generation of players – and coaching at the international level is the dream.”

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