Siyachitema glows at RANL awards
IT was a moment to remember for Perpetua Siyachitema when she bagged the Rainbow Netball League Coach of the Year accolade for the third time running at a colourful ceremony held in Harare at the weekend.
Siyachitema guided Glow Petroleums Queens to a record-equalling three straight RANL titles, claiming the latest championship without tasting defeat in their 36 outings (72 points) and 2 778 scores.
The Kwekwe-based side took the trophy to their cabinet for keeps.
Prisons side Correctional Queens and ZRP Mambas settled for first and second runners up respectively.
The Siyachitema-led side also dominated the night with Goal Shooter Christine Kadandara walking away with the Golden Hand accolade while mid court star Barbra Lodi was crowned the Player’s Player of the Year.
The former Gems skipper is also the first female head coach in domestic netball.
Similarly, she is the only Zimbabwean netballer to ever make it on to the analysts’ panel at a Netball World Cup. She was called up for the first time at the 2023 global showcase in Cape Town, South Africa.
“I am proud to achieve such a feat; I am not a genius but I take each day as a learning day. So, my netball journey has always been that of lessons and improving daily,” she said.
“The year 2023 was not easy, after losing my friend Pauline Jani I was disturbed emotionally but then capping off the year like this gave me something to smile about and I dedicate the title to her.”
Coach Pepe, as she is affectionately known, plunged into the coaching field after a glittering playing career that saw her lead the Gems to their first ever Netball World Cup appearance in Liverpool in 2019.
Siyachitema has a visible passion and experience which netball enthusiasts believe could give the Gems the edge they need on the international scene.
In fact, when the Nedbank sponsored Gems finished the 2023 Netball World Cup in 13th position out of 16, the netball family felt Siyachitema was the missing link on the technical bench.
Having featured for the Gems for 12 years, 10 of which she was entrusted with the armband, there is strong belief Siyachitema may be part of the answers to the Gems’ shortcomings.
And her dominance on the domestic front is testimony to her abilities.
But with her colourful history, Siyachitema has never gotten a chance with the Gems. Since her departure, her name has not popped up despite the various national team roles that have arisen.
This has left some netball pundits arguing that she may have been deliberately omitted.
“I am more than happy with my achievements as a coach because this is what any player/coach always dreams of,” she said.
“A national team call up would be a bonus but my major focus is on how to become better every day and extend dominance into the coming seasons.
“There was a lot of competition last season. We had to bring our A-game on every outing, especially when some of our players were on national duty, and I am happy we cruised through without tasting defeat.”
Siyachitema became a household name for her high octane performances and brilliant passes which made her arguably the best Gems’
Wing Attacker of all time.
She called time on her career after 122 national team caps.
Siyachitema was also instrumental in the Gems’ rise to position 13 on the World Netball rankings.
While she was still playing for the Gems, she also had a stint as the Young Gems Assistant Coach, deputising Ropafadzo Mutsauki, who was later promoted to the seniors’ fold.
She has also churned out several players who have made the cut into the junior and senior national teams.
Ursula and Nobukhosi Ndlovu, Beaulah Hlungwani, Tanaka Makusha and Paidamoyo Tinoza are some of the Gems coached by the diminutive gaffer. Siyachitema, however, feels she has never had the opportunity to give back the experience she acquired over the years as a player.
The World Cup Analysts call, she said, was her dream come true.
“Netball has been my life, and talking about the game I love most on such a huge platform meant everything to me. It felt good being appreciated at that level,” she said.
“Given the opportunity, I wish to share what I learnt there, teach others how to analyse and do commentary; it is not just talking about netball but there is a whole lot more to it which can develop our game.”
During her time under former Gems head coach Lloyd Makunde, the gaffer said he would, in tough situations, leave it to Siyachitema to handle the team.
“Siyachitema is a natural leader who knows how to pull the team together and get the best out of them which is why I would always leave it to her
“She is good at reading the game and communicating effectively to the team and this is what I have seen her doing with Glow, as a coach,” said Makunde.