Local player to make appearance at Singapore’s Netball Super League
Eve Hamwaalwa seen in action during a game against Singapore last year.
In an interview with The Economist this week, Hamwaalwa could not contain her excitement as she told this reporter, that this opportunity is by far the greatest achievement of any netball player. “Although final details are yet to be confirmed by Singapore, I am glad to say that T got invited to play for the Singapore Netball Super League in April with two of my team mates It is great to know that someone is appreciating what we do. I think I have achieved my most desired goal as a netball player,” said Hamwaalwa.
She said that it is the ultimate pay-off for all the hard work and the extra effort that she has invested into her netball career. “Singapore netball is not at the same level as ours, they are more advanced in all possible ways. It would be my pleasure to bring back the knowledge and skills from the other side which can help with the development of our local players,” she said.
Hosting six competitive teams, the Netball Super League is a five-month long, 15-round netball tournament developed to cater for elite players in Singapore. It was established and is currently governed by Netball Singapore.
Hamwaalwa started playing netball on a more professional level three years ago when she joined United Netball Club as a goal attacker and has been taking the Namibian netball scene by storm.
She started playing netball at the tender age of 10, while also playing Soccer and Volleyball occasionally. She decided to concentrate more more on netball when she started playing for the UNAM team.“When I went to secondary school, playing for the regional team was my greatest achievement and playing trials for U21 and U20. For now, playing for the national team and winning two awards as player of the year for my club, highlight some of my personal achievements. On the court I play all positions but my best position is offence (goal-attack),” she said.
She said she fell in love with the sport because it is a girl’s sport. It is a wonderful way to get together with other girls to have fun for one hour, forget about everything else while being active and sharing one’s talent. “Although netball has improved a lot in Namibia, with observable development, a lot is still needs to change in the future. Netball is still laid back compared to other sports. With our main challenge being sponsorship. We do not get much sponsorships which is somewhat discouraging to the players. When there are no funds, most people tend not to be committed,” she stressed.
She will also represent United Netball Club at a derby on 09 March against the Wanderers United Netball Club before the Khomas League opening. Hamwaalwa was also part of the National Netball team which represented the country at the seventh edition of the Nations Cup which took place in Singapore from 02 to 08 December last year.
