Botswana’s teenage netballer, Sarona Hans says she looks forward to playing university netball in Australia, after she was awarded the Zebras Elite Scholarship.
Hans left the country this past Friday for Griffith University in Perth, Australia where she has been admitted to study aviation. She told Sunday Standard Sports just before her departure that she looks forward to playing in what she believes is one of the most competitive university netball teams in Australia.
“I have never played against the Australians, but I know that they are the best netballing country in the world. I am very excited about the prospects of playing netball in Australia,” said Sasa, as Hans is affectionately known in netball circles.
She promised to work hard to earn a place in the university team.
“I know that a starting berth is not guaranteed, but I am ready to fight for my place in the team. I have been training really hard over the past few weeks and I am super fit.”
She added that she is aware that university netball in Australia is very competitive and usually attended by scouts from professional netball clubs in the country.
“I have to give my best and impress them. But I am in no hurry to turn professional because I want to complete my studies first. My priority is education, then netball,” she said.
While she harbors ambitions of playing professional netball at some point, Hans said she is in no hurry as age is still on her side.
“I am very young and still have a lot of years ahead to play professional netball,” said Sasa.
Her Zebras Elite Scholarship contract stipulates that she has to continue playing netball. Hans also declared her commitment to playing for the Botswana national team, saying she will be happy to receive regular call-ups for national duty. In fact, the young Hans says she looks forward to being part of the junior national team that will represent the country during the World Youth Netball Cup that will be hosted by Botswana from 8th-16th July, 2017.
“I’m sure you will notice a tremendous improvement in my performance when I come back for national duty,” said Sasa confidently.
