Over the years, Emily Mathosa has overcome various challenges, which has cumulated in her winning the 2023 Telkom Netball League Division Two title with the Limpopo Baobabs.
The current Head Coach of the Limpopo side made history with the team when Baobabs defeated Tornados 65-40 in front of a buzzing crowd at Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria on Friday, 30 June 2023.
The Polokwane-born has an outstanding list of achievements, which also include winning the prestigious TUT Coach of the Year Award in 2021 and leading the SA U19 team to gold at the Region 5 in Malawi.
Speaking with Tlamelo Kganakga, Mathosa chats about her journey to date and her views on what makes a good leader.
Emily, congratulations on recently winning the Telkom Netball League Division Two title! How does it feel to have made history with the Limpopo Baobabs team?
It feels great, it always been my dream to make history for our province! I mean I grew up in Polokwane where history was never made in this tournament, and I wanted us to change how people look at us Baobabs and change the narratives. I’m
happy I was given a chance to lead the team and have players who were hungry to do it for us and here we are today making history.
The victory has now paved the way for the team to move to Division One. What are you looking forward to next season?
I’m looking forward to competing against the Top 6 in the TNL, I mean we worked very hard to be where we are today, and we showed between the four lines that it’s doable, so we will go there with a good mindset and compete.
The League has opened many doors for young players. What are your thoughts on Telkom sponsoring this league that will see players putting their hands up for the national team?
Without sponsorship we wouldn’t be playing, we are very privileged and thanks to Telkom for being there for our girls when NSA knocked on their door. Here we are with 15 teams participating in the Telkom League and it shows netball is growing in country and we are thankful for all the support they are giving.
Let’s find out more about you, when and where did your love for sport begin?
I started playing netball in primary school and it always been my first love. I’ve played the sport during my varsity days, through to provincials, national championships & Brutal Fruit 2017, I then started coaching at the national championships in 2018.
What are some of the challenges you have faced and how did you overcome them?
I’ve faced quite a few, rejection always been there, but I’m glad I never gave up on my dreams, I kept pushing because I knew exactly what I wanted but honestly, these were not obstacles that one cannot overcome. I kept doing what I love and I’m happy opportunities came through for me and I grabbed them with both han