Tshabalala has the best of both worlds
Varsity sports scientist also helps out U17s
University of Johannesburg sports scientist Minky Tshabalala believes she has the best of both worlds, combining a passion for sport with her chosen career.
The 29-year-old, who lives in Sunninghill, Johannesburg, is the sports science unit manager at UJ Sport, a unit which provides services to the varsity’s seven high performance and recreational sport codes. Last year, she achieved one of her goals of working at a national level when she was named in the management team for the South African U17 girls football team, which competed in the World Cup in Uruguay.
“I am sure that for any sport personnel to serve your country is one of the biggest honours,” said Tshabalala. “Working in this field it has always been my ambition to one day work with a national team. “When I got the call-up letter I was in disbelief and happy that I would finally be working with the U17 national team at the World Cup.
“It only hit me once we were flying over to Uruguay that this was happening.” However, the SA girls, nicknamed Bantwana, did not make the top eight play-offs at the World Cup, suffering two heavy defe ats.
It was a major learning curve for the squad, said Tshabalala.
“In particular, I learnt that preparation is always key and you can never stay in your comfort zone. You have to go out and learn.”
After growing up in Bendor, Polokwane, Tshabalala studied sports science at the University of Pretoria and did her practical experience at the university’s High Performance Centre.
She said her passion for sport drew her to the profession. “I got into sports science because I loved sports and did everything I could, eventually playing at the national U19 girls’ cricket week. “However, due to injury I had to shift my focus to studying and because I still wanted to be involved in sport, sports science gave me the best of both worlds from a sporting and an academic point of view,” Tshabalala said.
‘ ‘ I’m sure... to serve your country is one of the biggest honours