More men encouraged to play netball as the sport turns a new leaf in SA

Attitude towards male players needs to change

- By Siyasanga Monoalibe

Just from reading the headline itself, chances are that most people, particularly men, raised their eyebrows and some curiosity crept in, as the thought of seeing men playing netball remains a taboo in modern South African society.

Due to that, the South African men's national netball team coach, Shiko Mokaila, is on a serious mission to change that perception and advocate for more men to get involved in netball, as it is now taking a whole new turn.

The men's netball team faced Australia in a three-match curtain-raiser series during the Spar Challenge last month, as they look to build and look ahead to the first-ever Men's Netball World Cup in 2028.

"There is a metamorphosis... Obviously, with the history of the sport, that if you play netball as a male, there then becomes a particular perception around that," Mokaila said in an exclusive interview with Sunday World.