SEBOKENG.- If you think netball is only sport for women, think again! This is a message from Real Tigers Netball Club Coach, Ayanda Mkhize (25).

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, over the weekend, Mkhize said gone are the days when netball was viewed as a women sport in the community. He told Sedibeng Ster Sport that recently men are interested in netball and there are many male netball clubs that participate in the Sedibeng Netball Federation league.

Mkhize said some people still not accept the fact that men can also play netball and those who play this sport are labelled as gays in the community. “Look, my uncle who was the chairperson of KZN Netball Association encouraged me to play netball. It was not that easy to play this sport because we grew up with the mentality that netball is played by girls in our community or at school level. I enjoy each and every moment and I would like to challenge other men especially those who think netball is only for women to come and join us because we have male netball teams. I want to see more men get involved in netball specially to protect these women because after the games some of them travel alone back home,” said Mkhize.

Apart from coaching Real Tigers Netball Club, Mkhize also plays for Diphethogo Netball Club from Zone 7, Sebokeng. He told Sedibeng Ster Sport that he is in process to form a male netball team for Real Tigers Netball Club.