ANCILLA GOTORE
MASVINGO CITY – One of the best Primary Schools in Masvingo, Helen McGhie conducted a two day technical training clinic on newly introduced game of Woodball with the aim of equipping the learners to master the concept of the game.
The training was held on Thursday and Friday last week and was led by the National Woodball technical director, Newstern Chipoya who took the 40 selected learners through their paces.
The sport which was introduced in 2015 had been on pause mainly because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The school coach, Ruzai Magumise was impressed by the move by her school to invite the National Woodball technical director and said that she is confident that the students will master the concepts of the game from the expert.
“I would like to appreciate the school administration for approving the training which will help our learners in mastering the game. The new competence based curriculum put a lot of emphasis on talent identification which will be achieved with the endorsement of a variety of sporting disciplines so as to cater for every learner.
“As an institution we are now confident following guidance from the national technical director who has imparted knowledge to both learners and school coaches.
“We look forward to friendly matches against our sister schools in Masvingo that have endorsed the game such as Don Bosco, Hillside and Burombo Primary School,” said Magumise.
The participants were picked from Grade 4 up to Grade 6 with equal representation of girls and boys.
The training has come after the school purchased two sets of Woodball kit which is comprised of two mallets, two wooden balls and a gate per set.
The training session is also stretching to other schools under the guidance of the province.
One of the participants, a Grade 6 player, Keilla Matare said that the she was grateful to be selected for the training clinic. Keilla said that she has learnt that if she excels in sport she can reach greater heights and earn a living from the game.
Reynald Chitambira in Grade 6 said the game teaches them to be honest, discipline and attentive as they try to hit the target.
“Woodball is about performance where a player will be competing with the course aiming to score in shortest possible shots. It’s really enjoyable especially when one scores and the ball hit the wine glass and everyone celebrate,” said Reynald.
He added that they were taught the concept of mallet positioning, setting targets, fairways marking and also failure to abide by the rules might result in the individual being penalized.
“The training clinic was a huge success considering the information imparted to the players which include correct technical execution of the Woodball skills as well as the life skills values that include honesty, respect and wellness.
“I hope they will continue training so that they can also be selected into the national team that will participate in the African Woodball Championship to be held in Uganda between November 1 to 3 this year,” said Chipoya.
The woodball game was started in Taiwan by Wing -Hui Weng in 1999. Woodball is a sport where a mallet is used to pass a ball through the gates. The game can be played in grass, sands or indoor.
The sport is in the program of Asian beach games and was incorporated in 2008. The International woodball Federation is based in Taipei, Taiwan.
The sport was introduced in Zimbabwe through a Masvingo woman, Kudzai Pikitai who went to Uganda for sport exchange program in 2015.
In woodball, each team consists of eight to 18 players. Six players are allowed in a competition and only best four players are recorded when tallying the strokes. When playing in the fairway the objective is to complete 12 gates or 24 gates in accordance with international competition rules.
The ideal course should be a place where people can chat, walk, get together with friends and enjoy in relaxation.
The fairways are designed in straight, curved, L-shaped and V-shaped styles.
