KOPANO MONAHENG
The development of netball in South Africa, as in many other regions, is indeed crucial not only for the sport itself.
But also for the broader sports community and economy. PEP is one of the biggest companies in Mzansi that wants to develop netball by making sure that netball coaches get the skills they need to succeed.
Since April this year, PEP has been going from one province to another up-skilling the coaches and also motivating the players.
Just this week, a PEP mini Netball Coaching
Session was held at Laerskool Julian Muller in Groblersdal, Limpopo.
The session was led by PEP mini Netball ambassador Dumisani Chauke, alongside Dr Elsje Jordaan and Minnette Dempsey.
Chauke said: “It’s incredibly exciting to see the programme reach new areas like this part of Limpopo. It speaks to PEP’s commitment to growing the game and making sure that no child is left behind when it comes to access and opportunity in sport.”
While athletes’ careers in sports can be short, there are numerous permanent career opportunities within the netball ecosystem that one can follow, like coaching.
– Becoming a netball coach at various levels youth, club, regional, or national
– Sports Administration involves managing teams, leagues, or associations, overseeing operations, event planning, and promotional activities.
– Sports Management including marketing, sponsorship, and public relations.
– Sports Development Officer, this role focus on promoting netball and increasing participation at the grassroots level, often working within schools and communities.
– Physical Education Teachers, Educators who specialise in teaching netball and other sports within schools, contributing to the development of young athletes.
– Sports Psychology, sports psychologists work with netball players to enhance their mental resilience, focus, and performance, as well as to promote mental health.
– Sports Nutritionist/Dietitian, Nutritionists help netball players optimise their diets for performance and recovery.
– Refereeing and Umpiring, officiating netball games can lead to opportunities at various levels, including regional and international competitions.
– Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, Professionals in this field focus on promoting netball events, securing sponsorships, and enhancing the visibility of the sport.
– Event Management, organising netball tournaments, leagues, and other events requires skills in event planning, logistics, and coordination.
– Media and Broadcasting, careers in sports journalism, commentary, or analysis related to netball can help increase the sport’s profile and engage fans.
– Strength and Conditioning Coach, these professionals work with netball players to improve their physical fitness, strength, and overall performance.
– Research and Development, involvement in sports science research can enhance training methods, player performance, and the overall understanding of the sport.
By focusing on these areas, South Africa can not only develop netball as a sport but also create sustainable career opportunities for individuals passionate about the game.
