Netball is former Proteas player and new Maties coach Zanele Mdodana's passion and she is looking forward to incorporating everything that she has learned as player into her coaching philosophy.

The sport is an intrinsic part of her life.

"Netball has kicked open doors for me and it has moulded me as a person – moulded my character and my personality. It has given me the opportunity to travel the world and meet people I wouldn't have met otherwise. It has taught me exactly who I am."

Zanele, who has captained both the South African U/20 and senior Protea teams, has a wealth of experience courtesy of her 85 caps for the national side.

"I have had the honour and privilege to have been coached by really amazing women, women who understood that netball is just a tool – that it goes beyond the four lines of the court. That it's about building the human being and empowering the girl child to become not only a great player but also a great person."

She believes a good coach can change a game, but a great coach can change a life – and that is what she would like to achieve.

Zanele's first foray into coaching started at various schools in the Port Elizabeth region and she joined the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) coaching team in 2014. She coached the Eastern Province U/21 team to a bronze medal in 2015/2016 and is the co-coach for the SA U/19 team that will compete in Angola in December.

Zanele, who has lived in the Eastern Cape all her life, is moving out of her comfort zone in more ways than one, but she is ready for the challenge.

"I'm person who likes to be challenged and I believe change is important in one's life. I'm grabbing this opportunity with everything I have and everything I am because I'm going to be doing what I love and what I believe I was born to do."

The position of head coach at Maties Netball will, for the first time, be a full-time position.

"I'm looking forward to having a very open and respectful relationship with the players, because I've been a player and I know exactly what they go through. I'm still fresh off the court and I can relate to them.

"Maties have great talent and receive great support from management. They have a great support structure and professional set-up. The players are very disciplined and that is crucial for success. So, with these important components in place there are just one or two things for me to focus on."

Zanele has great respect for her predecessor Christine Behan.

"She has laid a very strong foundation and the standard is extremely high. I have massive shoes to fill, but I know I have her support and backing and that makes it so much easier."