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Having declared her retirement last year former Proteas netball captain Bongiwe Msomi expressed her desire to channel her efforts into nurturing future stars of the game.
In a conversation with SABC Sport, Msomi revealed that her decision to step away from the court was a carefully considered one.
With 171 appearances for her country and participation in four World Cups and three Commonwealth Games, her commitment to the Proteas left little personal time.
Now, taking a hiatus from the demanding Proteas schedule, the 35-year-old is rejuvenated and directing her energy towards her coaching role at the University of Johannesburg.
Msomi held the position of vice-captain in 2013 and assumed the role of captain in 2016 until her retirement announcement in 2023.
One of the standout moments in her career was her leadership of the Proteas on home soil during the World Cup last year.
“The timing for my retirement couldn’t have been better. I’ve dedicated ample years of service to my country, and I am genuinely content to hand over the reins to the younger generation. At the age of 35, I believe it’s time to gracefully step aside and create space for others to shine in representing their country. No more World Cups, no more Commonwealth Games – I’ve had my fill of excitement adorned in the green and gold jersey. I consider myself fortunate, relishing this moment, and I’m not prepared to embark on any new ventures until March as I rejuvenate. The luxury of weekends, which eluded me before, is now part of my routine, and I am embracing this newfound time and energy,” said Msomi.
Msomi, possessing a Level 3 coaching qualification in SA Netball, has joined forces with Environ to give back to underprivileged children.
Additionally, she serves as an ambassador for Spur, a collaboration that commenced in December of last year.
“I aspire to achieve the status of a premier national coach, embarking on my journey from district to provincial levels before reaching the pinnacle national stage. Coaching is my passion, and I derive immense joy from imparting my game knowledge. Currently employed as a full-time coach at UJ, I am eager to extend my coaching career to the prestigious Telkom Netball League shortly. Should Netball SA express interest in my coaching services, it would be a tremendous honour to contribute to my country’s success. I am enthusiastic about commencing at the Under-21 level and steadily progressing to the highest echelons of coaching,” Msomi added.
The Proteas are currently on the lookout for a successor to coach Norma Plummer, and Msomi has encouraged the players to show respect to the incoming coach.
Additionally, she extended her best wishes to the yet-to-be-announced new captain.
“I would like to offer a piece of advice to the incoming captain; refrain from micromanaging, avoid biases, adopt a generous approach, prioritize fairness, uphold respect, and lead by example. Base your decision on facts and align with the federation’s objectives. Don’t hesitate to seek clarification by asking questions. Additionally, I express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me, including my family, Netball SA, and all my sponsors and partners,” she remarked.
