Muzanenhamo wins netball people’s choice award
IT was an emotional moment for Premier Netball League star, Nicole Muzanenhamo, receiving the People’s Choice Player of the Year gong in crutches.
The 21-year-old GreenFuel and senior national team shooter picked a knee injury which left her on the sidelines at the recently held African Championships in Botswana, leaving her in plaster and walking aids.
And limping to the podium to receive her award was an emotional moment for her which she never imagined throughout her journey.
Over the past year, the budding star has transformed into a vital cog on the Gems fold and at her club, largely entrusted with duty under high pressure games.
For the past two seasons, she walked away with the PNL Player of the Year awards.
At the Netball World Cup earlier in July, the youngster also stepped up as her combination with Australian based Shooter Nalani Makunde worked well to give the Gems a hard earned position 13 finish.
Being the youngest Gem at the moment, she marked her Netball World Cup debut in style, creating a lasting impression that left fans eating from her palm.
The utility player was instrumental in the Gems’ victory over Sri Lanka, walking away with the Player of the Match recognition after netting 32 goals out of 34 attempts, translating to a 94.1% goal-conversion rate.
Back home, she is one player who is never off form and has made a mark, living way above her billing.
And throughout her illustrious netball journey which started during her days at Sikhulile High School, Nicole has never suffered an injury of this magnitude.
“Sometimes I feel the pain but it is getting better by the day, I never imagined having to limp to the podium in crutches one day but anyway it is part of the game,” said Manyonyani, as she is affectionately known.
“Netball is my life, the game has taken me and my family this far, it gave us a life so when I step on court, I have something big burning from within and to pick an injury like this, is something I did not foresee.”
Muzanenhamo is also known as a workaholic and those close to her would attest to how much she puts in extra hours on her game.
Her dream has always been to be an international star and provide for her family through netball.
This, she said, gives her the drive to put in extra effort.
Despite the countless accolades that decorate the young player, she feels her best netball moments are yet to come and that by the time the next season starts, she will be back on court.
“I know bouncing back will be a process which requires hard work and dedication,” she said.
“We are now off season, I will rest and let the injury recover . . . in a few weeks the plaster will be removed.
“It is then that I will be back in training, the physio therapist and fitness trainers will help me but I will also go an extra mile to get back to my groove.”
Her dream is establishing a netball academy in honour of her mother, Constance, a former netball player who is now coaching in South Africa.
The academy, to be fully funded by her netball proceeds will also help communities by taking young girls off the streets.
This, she said, will curb issues of child marriages, teen pregnancies, alcohol and drug abuse.
“I have unfinished business with netball, I need to be back on court, in full potential so right now I need to maintain a positive mind,” said Muzanenhamo.
“I wish to see my mother retire from this game one day to enjoy the fruits of her labour and this academy, I feel, is one of the best gifts I could ever repay her with.
“At home, everything is about netball, this is where our strongest bond is, we teach each other a lot about the game, we share many memories too.”