Netball Captains. Schools That Rock kicked off last week with a new sport series, where the captains from our schools’ first netball teams tell us more about their captaincy. Our third goal scored in this netball captains series is scored by Makayla Vieira, captain of Curro Waterstone College, Gauteng, 1st netball team.
“I started playing netball in Grade 1 when I was six turning seven. I am passionate about playing netball because I just love the sport. Its all about team co-operation and agility. Currently I play Goal Attack (GA). I have also played Goal Shooter (GS), Wing Attack (WA) and Centre (C) before. I was appointed as captain for the first time in my first year of competitive netball in primary school.
Our team has two to three training sessions per week at school. On top of that, every Friday and Saturday for an outdoor club, as well as IPT training and practise for preparation.
My most stressful game to date was an IPT game against Western Province. There were a few seconds left on the clock to score for us to draw and qualify for the finals. My most exciting game is when we played a game with one hand only. It was different and exciting.
Goals
Goals I would like to accomplish in the next six months to three years? I would love to make the Gauteng Schools Team as it is such a good experience and exposure. I would also like to be selected for a national team and hopefully represent South Africa one day.
Rank your current top five priorities in life. 1. God and my family. 2. Positive energy = positive mindset. 3. My wellbeing and health. 4. Career goals. 5. To be better everyday and accept mistakes as learning opportunities.
I plan on continuing netball after school. Hopefully at university, if nothing else has come my way. Should I decide to play professional netball, I would like to open my own club to coach and encourage younger players to take their netball to another level.
My worst netball performance? There was a time when I was lacking confidence in myself that ran over a period and sometimes influenced my game. I realised that giving up was not an option – if you dig deep enough you will find your worth again.
Yes, I do have other interests outside of netball. I also love to sing and dance.
Strengths
Strengths I believe I have that make me a great netball player? I believe I am a team player, understanding that game and I am positively competitive. Leading by example and be encouraging towards team work to life everyone’s spirit on court, I motivate my team.
I see every coach as a role model as they bring something that is different and unique, but a coach that believed in me when I didn’t was a life saver.
I believe that the greatest challenge faced by today’s sport participants is the demands that sport places on a person and your mental health through it all.
Manage my netball responsibilities and other recreational and non-recreational (academic) activities? Its tough, because although I enjoy my social life, I know that I need to balance schoolwork. I also remind myself that I have made the choice to be part of a team sport which requires dedication, so I choose to show up as much as I can and fit the rest in around it.
What I have learned about teamwork from my past experiences on teams, as well as a captain? Teamwork is one of the most important aspects. There might be differences off court, but when we are on the court, those differences are set aside, and we all work together towards the common goal. If you play as an individual the team will suffer. A captain needs to enforce teamwork!
Greatest achievements
My greatest achievements include being chosen as best player at various tournaments and receiving various awards at prize giving’s and awards evenings. On top of that, becoming captain and being chosen to represent Ekurhuleni at the Gauteng Telkom Netball Challenge.
Implemented any game plans or other suggestions that helped our team succeed? Yes, I encourage my team to keep going even when things are not going well. When I see a teammate struggling with learning a new move or play, I need to learn to be better in this type of situation. Instead of feeling bad to point out their weakness, I should offer help and suggestions for improvement or bring it to the attention of the coach to handle.
The best advice I received from your coaches is that your mistakes don’t define you but how you can grow from them does.
I think my coach and fellow team mates would describe me as someone that brings positivity and encouragement to the team.
I woul say that a skilled coach should be supportive, focused, observant and enthusiastic. Their energy will be felt by the players and good communication is always key.
I would love to have coffee with Maria Falou, for sure! I love her playing style and I am immediately drawn to her when she plays for New Zealand.
Things that excite me the most in life is competitiveness in the things I enjoy or waiting for good news! The single greatest highlight the past five years, was when I was chosen as sportswoman of the year in grade 8!
If I should describe myself in one word? Energetic.”
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