Khanyisa Chawane imparts skills & inspires youth in hometown stand tall Netball Clinic
Lesedi Primary School in Botshabelo was buzzing with excitement on Friday, May 5th, as SPAR Proteas wing attack and Stand Tall ambassador, Khanyisa Chawane hosted the first of four Stand Tall netball clinics for young netball enthusiast and fans.
The Stand Tall clinic, which was hosted by Telkom, Premium Partner of the 2023 Netball World Cup, was aimed at encouraging all aspiring netball players in the community to come together, to learn from one of the most inspiring and respected female athletes in the country. Chawane shared her journey and the skills that have aided her career – her story is one of perseverance, determination and a relentless pursuit of excellence that continues to inspire and encourage young South Africans to always stand tall.
“Growing up I had lots of special people in my life who always supported me but sometimes it felt like it wasn’t enough, however when I stepped on that court all my problems and doubts went away,” says Chawane.
“I wanted to share my story with these young people to show them that there are other people who also go through hard times and that they are never alone and when they feel like they have nobody to count on, netball will always be there to push you through your hard times,” adds Chawane.
With over 30 netball lovers in attendance, the day was filled with excitement, passion and competitiveness as the young players were encouraged to use this day as an opportunity to showcase their talents. Chawane led the clinic with a series of netball drills and exercises designed to improve their skills and educate them on the importance of teamwork.
In addition to a day filled with netball focused activities, Chawane also shared her personal story of how she overcame obstacles and hardships in her life by being determined and by embracing her individuality. She used the clinic as a means to inspire the young netball players to believe in their dreams and stay determined to achieve their goals.
Mrs. Burta De Kock, who was selected as the province’s community hero was also in attendance. She is a leading figure in the development of netball in the Free State, having been the head coach for University of the Free State since 2002 and recently was called to serve as a member of the new World Netball Coaching Advisory panel.
“It was an absolute pleasure to be able to give back to my community in this way. Netball has always been a passion of mine, and I am thrilled to be able to use this platform to inspire the next generation of netball players,” said De Kock.
De Kock continued to express her gratitude for being part of this positive initiative saying she is also thrilled to see inspirational sporting heroes like Chawane as part of an initiative that could truly encourage and inspire the next generation of sporting stars.
“Khanyisa is a true inspiration to young people across the country, and her dedication to netball and her community is a testament to her character. As her former coach at UFS we are grateful for her support in promoting the growth of netball in a place where she harnessed her talent, and I look forward to seeing her continuing to make an impact in different South African communities and importantly her performance during the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town,” says De Kock.
Chawane’s hard work and dedication has earned her a spot in the World Cup SPAR Proteas squad and her story should be a paragon to aspiring netball players and the youth of South Africa. Her Stand Tall netball clinic is one of four clinics that will be hosted across the country in partnership with Telkom and the Stand Tall ambassadors, Bongi Msomi; Izette Griesel; and Tshina Mdau.
‘Stand Tall’, launched by Telkom, is an initiative designed to use netball as catalyst to encourage South African youth to embrace their individuality, follow their dreams whilst growing participation in the sport ahead of the tournament.
Through shining a spotlight on South Africa’s netball heroes and sharing their personal stories, Stand Tall aims to illustrate to the youth that they can be their own heroes by turning their individuality and differences into strengths. You too can stand tall. So, join the movement, click here to learn about Khanyisa Chawane’s story and be part of this empowering journey.