Msomi excited to lead netballers at World Cup
Bongiwe Msomi had mixed emotions when Netball South Africa announced the 15 players for the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in July and August.
Though she was excited to be given the responsibility of captaining the team at a home World Cup, Msomi was sad not all the players made the cut.
Notable players like Zanele Vimbela, Monique Reyneke, Boitumelo Mahloko and Tshina Mdau did not make Norma Plummer’s final squad.
“I had mixed emotions because I have worked with these ladies from the beginning of the year. Actually we started last year already,” Msomi said.
“I am sad that not all the ladies who put in so much work did not make the cut. I told them it was not based on their skills but on numbers.
“They will be sad because they put in so much hard work. They had a good crack but it was not to be.”
At the same time, Msomi is happy with the composition of the squad, which boasts a good balance of experience and youth.
“This is such a great group of talented players. It is just amazing to see the growth of netball in our country.
I am pleased with the effort the girls put in over the past few weeks. I think the squad is good to go.”
The likes of Msomi, who will be playing her fourth World Cup, Karla Pretorius, Phumza Maweni and Lenize Potgieter will lead inexperienced players like Nicholé Taljaard, Elmere van der Berg, Sesandile Owethu Ngubane, Nicola Smith and Jeante Strydom.
“One can take confidence in the preparation we did.
“Now that the squad has been announced, reality will start kicking in and we are looking ahead.
“This is going to be my fourth World Cup and I am aware it is not every athlete who gets a chance like this.
“I do much work behind the scenes; basically, netball is my life.
“I coach and manage netball at the University of Johannesburg and I play my part for the SPAR Proteas.
“When your name is announced, you realise it is not a given but a reward for all the hard work.
“There are so many people who have hopes for you.
“It is an honour to represent your country at a home World Cup.
“When I started playing I never pictured myself captaining my country.
“To think that is going to happen on home soil and in front of my family is exciting.
“The idea of knowing this might be a one-off thing, because it may never come back to our country again, shows we have to give it our best shot.
“We have done well with preparations so far.
“We want to change netball in our country and also in Africa at large.
“We have all these other players coming to our country and we have to give it our best shot.”
The World Cup starts on July 28 and will be played at the
Cape Town International Convention Centre.
All matches will be broadcast on both free-to-air SABC and pay channel Supersport. The squad is: Bongiwe Msomi (captain); Karla Pretorius (vice-captain); Khanyisa Chawane; Izette Griesel; Owethu Ngubane; Refiloe Nketsa; Phumza
Maweni; Lenize Potgieter; Lefebre Rademan; Nicola Smith; Jeante Strydom; Nichole Taljaard; Elmere van der Berg; Shadine van der Merwe, Ine-Mari Venter.