VOICE NDOU: FROM UNIVERSITY RUGBY SUCCESS TO NATIONAL PRIDE

BY SIPHOKAZI VUSO

VOICE NDOU, the women’s rugby captain at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), is relishing the team’s maiden participation in the Varsity Cup Women competition after it qualified through the University Sport South Africa championships late last year. And the sport, recreation and exercise science final-year student said she was delighted when the team won its first match.

“WE GOT INTO THE VARSITY CUP IN OUR FIRST GAME against the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and we were able to beat them,” says Ndou. “We were ready to show people that we are here and we exist in the university.” Sadly, UWC were knocked out of the competition in the semifinals.

THE WINGER HAS MADE A NAME FOR HERSELF on the local rugby scene since she started playing in 2015. “I got selected to play for the Golden Lions, from under-16s to seniors,” she says. “I then went to UJ and played the first year, then got a full scholarship the following year.”

NDOU’S CAREER RECEIVED A BOOST when she was selected for the Zimbabwean national team, the Lady Cheetahs. “The opportunity really meant a lot as representing the national team means that we are representing each and every girl in Zimbabwe who has a dream of playing rugby on a big platform,” she says.

SHE ALSO PLAYED FOR THE UNIVERSITY SPORT SOUTH AFRICA TEAM in the 2018 International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Games in Namibia, and the 2019 FISU Summer World Student Games in Italy.

DESPITE THESE ACHIEVEMENTS, Ndou says her ultimate aspiration was always to don a DHL Western Province jersey. “My dream since I started playing rugby had always been to be a WP player due to the level of rugby I saw the first time I encountered them in 2015 in Oudtshoorn. When I finally got a chance to wear the jersey and play with the best, I was excited. For me, it showed growth and determination to follow my dreams.”

QUALIFYING FOR THE VARSITY CUP WOMEN was a dream come true for the UWC team, says Ndou. “It was moments like qualifying for the Varsity Cup Women that were truly rewarding. That feeling was the best ever. At first we thought that the cutoff age was 23 and I was one of the players on the verge of turning 24, but my goal was clear – to pave the way for our future generation to partake in the history and legacy we are creating for ourselves.

“WE HAD TO ENDURE A LOT OF CHALLENGES as a team and we were sometimes told we are not good enough or we don’t look athletic. But through it all we were able to go unbeaten in the Western Province Super League B and qualified for Super League A. We have proven so much as a team to get to where we are today.”