Another season of the Telkom Netball League is set to get underway next month and excitement for the tournament is building. Someone who is rather keen to get the new campaign going is none other than the seasoned Nthabiseng Mothutsi.
The well-known netball player called time on her playing career in January this year, but will still be on the court as she was appointed the new coach of the Limpopo Lilies. She has spent years playing at the Limpopo Baobabs where she was also the team captain.
New Limpopo Lilies Coach Nthabiseng Mothutsi on her Appointment
Some might say that the turnaround from retiring as a player to coaching is rather a fast one, but Mothutsi feels she is well equipped having had some experience when it comes to coaching. She has spent time in Saudi Arabia where she was able to hone her coaching skills and this proved to be a fruitful experience.
“Luckily I was allowed to work with Saudi Arabia to develop and be with them and just help them with the sport there. It’s helped me a lot, it’s equipped me well enough to take it as much as I can to lead the players from a coaching perspective.”
Mothutsi’s team can be seen as the ‘new kids on the block’. The Lilies were one of two new teams that entered the Telkom Netball League in 2023. It wasn’t the ideal first season for the side as they finished last in the standings. However, their new mentor believes her side has learned a fair amount and will give them all to improve this year.
“The first season they were very young also and I guess quite inexperienced, which I understand. Now they have the feel of what is expected from them in the competition. There is nothing as great as working with young players, they are versatile, and they are willing to learn. I am sure they (the Lillies) won’t want to finish last like they did last year. They are going to give me more than 100% to ensure they end better this year.”
The TNL has certainly put itself among the top netball leagues and Mothutsi echoes this sentiment. She says that the competition gives players much-needed exposure as they look to take their careers to new heights.
