Protea star Phumza Maweni believes World Cup experience motivates UWC

Protea star and UWC assistant coach Phumza Maweni believes having played in the recent Netball World Cup, is having a good impact on the team in the 2023 Varsity Netball campaign.

The 38-year-old Maweni played in her last World Cup in front of her home supporters when the prestigious event was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) last month.

She says being part of Varsity Netball means a lot to her as she gets an opportunity to teach young players.

"Having me as the assistant coach means a lot to these girls, it motivates and inspires them. I have so much respect for this team and that gives them confidence as well. Sharing the skills I have learnt makes a huge impact, this is something they will learn and use as motivation in the tournament."

This week UWC are up against UFS-Kovsies and UJ during the third bumper weekend at the

Maties Coetzenburg Indoor Centre.

Maweni says the team have been working hard to prepare for this weekend's fixtures.

"You can expect a different ball game from UWC. The girls are working so hard to improve every day. We looked at all the errors that cost us last weekend and try to fix them before the next round.

"It's been a good ride for us, Varsity Netball allows us to compete with strong [universities] to improve as individuals and the team."

Giving back to where her career started, Maweni says she decided to start the Phumza Maweni Foundation, an initiative that is based in Khayelitsha where she comes from.

"I have a non-profit foundation based in the area of Khayelitsha. The aim is to play a role in changing young lives through netball in our community.

"Keeping our young girls off the street, away from excessive abuse of substance and giving back to the community by being the starting point to young girls' better future, is what we have been doing and something we are focusing on."

UWC currently occupies the sixth position on the log and Maweni says her side needs to minimise errors to get things right.

"If we can minimise our errors I reckon we can match nicely with these teams. We struggle on the defensive side because of the height, we just need to convert and protect our centre pass [and then] I think we should be fine."

Fixtures HERE.

Tickets HERE.

by Ayanda Frances Felem