Former Proteas assistant coach Dumisani Chauke has shifted her focus into developing young girls in South Africa, in hopes that they will one day play in the Netball World Cup.
Chauke alongside Norma Plummer last year led the Spar Proteas to a sixth finish in the 2023 Netball World Cup that was hosted for the first time on African soil in Cape Town. Speaking to SABC Sport the former assistant coach says the role of this tournament was also to inspire young girls who play netball to dream bigger.
''The exposure that netball got from the World Cup hosted by Netball South Africa was big and you can see it with programs like these that are coming up. It is inspiring that a lot of them are taking interest at such a young age,'' said Chauke.
Chauke was appointed as the ambassador for the PEP Mini netball festival, an initiative that is about fostering inclusivity and promoting active lifestyles among future netball stars. She says this program is close to her heart as her number one goal is to help develop netball in the country.
''I think it is close to my heart, especially when it comes to empowering young girls. It is impressive to see what PEP Mini netball festival is doing for these young girls,'' added Chauke.
The Limpopo-born coach says such programs prove that Netball is growing in South Africa.
Chauke is the HOD of Sport at TUT Garankuwa campus while also working with different brands as an ambassador, she says her advice to girls who are still playing for the national team is to plan their post-retirement careers while still playing.
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