Dedicated to netball for 31 years
IT HAS been a long time since Mala Moonsamy first laid hands on a netball – 31 years ago, but her appetite for the game continues to grow.
Last week, the veteran player and administrator was named 2016 manager of the year at the annual KwaZulu-Natal Netball Awards.
The 47-year-old was recognised for her sterling work at Woodhurst Sporting Netball Club, one of Chatsworth’s most successful teams.
Apart from that, she also managed the Chatsworth Netball Union team at the eThekwini Metro Netball Federation Youth Championship.
She then took care of the federation’s Under-21 team at the KZN Championship and managed the Under-21 KZN team at the SA Spar National Championship Tournament that took place in August.
In October, Moonsamy worked as the team liaison for the Uganda national team at the Netball SA, Diamond Challenge Tournament.
The multi-talented woman coaches, continues to play as a goal shooter and is a qualified Level 2 umpire.
“Winning this award is a great honour and it is recognition for my passion for the sport. My years of hard work and dedication are paying off and, professionally, it means I can connect and help more people on a bigger scale.”
Over the years, Moonsamy has guided Sporting to a number of titles in the union, one the province’s most challenging leagues.
The journey, which began in 1985, seems to be getting sweeter.
“We started as a family and friends’ team with the intention of hanging out together. I never thought that 31 years later I would still be involved.
“With my sister, Jane Padayachee, husband, Leon Moonsamy, and Anoop Rampersad, who joined in recent years, we manage the affairs of the club and continue to play a pivotal role.”
Moonsamy says it is her love for the club that has motivated her to take on so many key roles.
“I believe in professionalism, discipline, commitment, respect and fun. My job entails communication, good administration, organising of team kit, training equipment, venue, safety and, more importantly, that all players and officials are happy.”
Under her guidance, many girls have graduated from the union to provincial and national teams.