Klipspruit Sports Centre in Soweto was home to the recent Stand Tall clinic, which was hosted by renowned South African netballer, Tshina Mdau, in partnership with Telkom.
The day-long clinic was not only an opportunity for aspiring players to play alongside an industry role model but also a chance to listen to the inspirational Gauteng Jaguars defender speak about her route to stardom and the steps she took to make it professionally – allowing them to take these learnings to empower themselves and nurture their talent for future success.
The Stand Tall clinic forms part of the Telkom’s rallying call to up-and-coming netball players to stand tall against all obstacles, band together for the good of their respective communities and importantly reaching for their dreams while learning from the best in the sport.
“My love for netball started a very young age and over the years and throughout my career, I have had amazing coaches that have not only ignited my passion for the sport but most importantly taught me how to be a team player,” said Mdau.
Further showcasing their commitment to the development of woman’s sport in South Africa, Telkom launched Stand Tall as part of its journey to the Netball World Cup – it became an opportunity to inspire young individuals to come together and do big things for netball, both on and off the court.
The Johannesburg-born star attributes her career growth in netball to the guidance she received from her parents, “My dad always said to my sibling and I “no man is an island”, so for one to achieve we all need to achieve. Being part of a team sport is such a great honour for me as it’s not just about me growing but helping others to grow as well,” she adds.
She is a strong believer in teamwork and using the strength as well as the skills of those around you to improve your own skills. She acknowledges that there is no shame in asking for help when you feel like giving up, “That is what I love the most about netball, the feeling that you are never alone, your teammates become like your sisters, your pain is their pain, their wins are your wins.”
The clinic saw a total of 30 kids from Soweto eagerly participating in the fun and challenging activities laid out by Mdau and her team. Tshina’s team of heroes was made up of fellow Stand Tall ambassador, Izette Griesel as well as local Telkom Netball League (TNL) players. Together, they skillfully guided the participants and shared valuable insights to help them enhance their netball skills.
While discipline, determination and hard work were the key lessons of the day, the day was oozing with passion and excitement as the youngsters of Soweto who attended the netball clinic took the opportunity to showcase their talents. The netball hero also took it upon herself to take them through simple drills and exercises which culminated in a friendly game that fostered the essence of teamwork between the teams involved.
Griesel further commented on the importance of the clinic saying, “I believe that netball has the power to transform lives. Through these netball clinics, we want to encourage the youth to embrace their potential, develop new skills, and build lasting relationships through teamwork. It’s not just about excelling in netball, it’s about instilling values that will benefit them in all aspects of life.”
In addition, Griesel, who represented the Proteas at the 2019 Netball World Cup alongside Mdau will be making her second tournament appearance this year, will also be hosting her Stand Tall clinic in Pretoria on 23 June 2023.
Mdau’s complete love for sports coupled with her consistent inclination to hard work, on and off the field, is what makes her a role model to the youth of South Africa and keeps her as a significant part of her local team, which is currently playing in the TNL.
Mdau’s Stand Tall netball clinic is one of four activations that is being hosted across the country in partnership with Telkom and through such initiatives, Telkom continues to recognize the importance of providing opportunities for the younger generation to nurture their talents and passion for the sport. This is why ‘Stand Tall’ is very important as it uses netball as a catalyst to empower the youth of South African, in addition to growing the affinity for netball ahead of the 2023 Netball World Cup.
The success of the netball clinic can be attributed to the collective efforts of Tshina Mdau, Telkom, and the dedicated TNL players. You too can stand tall and be an inspiration to do big things for netball in South Africa. So, join the movement, click here to learn more about Stand Tall and be a part of this empowering journey.