The senior netball team –the Gems’ superb performance at the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool has earned them more stripes and opened new avenues, Zim Morning Post can reveal.
The future looks so bright for them following invitations to play test matches with some of the world’s best netball teams.
Speaking to this publication on Friday, Phillip Masimba Zimbabwe Netball Association Secretary general said big teams were impressed with the girls’ performance and three countries had already invited them for test matches.
“We have impressed some of the world’s best teams and this means their glory will not be a once off glory. Can you imagine Barbados, New Zealand and Nothernen Ireland have invited us to play in test matches,” said Masimba.
He said when the team started playing most teams looked down upon them because of negative images portrayed by some sections of Western media
Masimba added:
“Test matches are important for the girls, as it will improve Zimbabwe’s world ranking and afford them exposure as they will be travelling every now and then.”
Masimba said team officials from the world’s best team Australia in post match interviews that Zimbabwe was the toughest and they are keen on playing with them again.
The host nation will cater for all travel and accommodation expenses.
Masimba said he had great hopes that the current sponsors who were on board in Liverpool will continue the journey they had started.
Zimbabwe’s next stop is South Africa in September where they will play against other African giants at the Africa games in Capet Town.
