Meet amazing baskets ‘Janitor’, Michelene Eises

Still going strong as a fish out of fresh water, well, whoever coined the phrase ‘age is just a number’ must have had Michelene Eises in mind. The well-structured lass from Walvis Bay’s largest residential area, Kuisebmund, refuses to grow old.

The now semi-retired baskets brutaliser is living life to the fullest. Eises played club netball for coastal giants Eleven Arrows and Blue Waters Netball Clubs before winding up a well-navigated sporting journey at popular Katutura outfit Orlando Pirates, leaving behind long-lasting footprints.

The name Michelene Eises will, without an iota of doubt, be inked in the golden pages of our national archives for future generations to take a leaf out of her outstanding performances on the courts, jaw-dropping academic credentials, passion and selfless contribution towards the overall development of the ‘ladies game’, which she has served unconditionally from school level to the country’s top-flight league.

After numerous failed attempts to round up the much-adored baskets rattler for an in-depth interview about her life journey, New Era Sport finally caught up with the slippery coastal socialite as she goes full throttle about her involvement in the game that has brought her a bucketful of tears of joy, harmony and ecstasy.

Former Eleven Arrows and Blue Waters Netball Clubs’ flawless net guard, Michelene Eises is best known for her unmatched leadership qualities, being a fantastic game reader who mastered the art of ball interception, gorgeously complemented by heart-stopping energy.

The athletically built Eises knows everything there is to know about the ‘ladies game’ as a competitive player, organiser and uncompromising leader. Growing up in the dusty streets of Kuisebmund, anchored in Walvis Bay’s largest residential area, Eises was exposed to the ‘ladies game’ at an early age.

A proud product of the revered mixed-heritage Kuisebmund Secondary School for native Bantus during the era of racial segregation in Apartheid South West Africa (SWA), the strongly built defender started rattling the baskets in a competitive environment for the school’s team.

Notwithstanding her fairly young age, Eises’ astonishing display and robust physique caught the sharp eyes of talent scouts from Eleven Arrows. The latter gladly dangled a juicy carrot in her baby face, enticing the young lass to join ranks with the ambitious maroon-and-gold-striped outfit, and, as they say, the rest is history.

Eises established herself as a vital cog in Arrows’ rock-solid defence line, stopping marauding attackers right in their tracks with relative ease. Eises’ rise to stardom did not go unnoticed, obliging Arrows’ bitter rivals, Blue Waters, to start circling like starving vultures over the head of the seemingly unbeatable goalposts ‘Janitor’.

The Birds came knocking on the door for Eises’ precious signature. Back in the day, Blue Waters ruled the coastal town with an iron hand. It was indeed the childhood dream of every ambitious upcoming athlete to pull the shining navy-and-foam attire of the Birds over their heads. Under tremendous pressure to change gears, Eises developed itchy feet, disembarking from the smooth-sailing Arrows ship, only to wash ashore next door at arch-rivals Blue Waters, much to the chagrin of Arrows’ disheartened supporters.

A well-grounded young lass of decent upbringing, commendable mannerisms and, above all, well-read, Eises had little trouble fitting in with her newly found teammates. The next stop was Orlando Pirates after she found enticing employment in the city of bright lights, Windhoek.

The super-gorgeous lass from the misty harbour town cemented her place in the star-studded Buccaneers’ starting seven, dictating play from the rear end of the courts. Despite lacking sufficient experience at the top level, the unfazed lass from the coastal town displayed magnificent maturity and confidence, way beyond her rookie tag.

Off the courts

All work and no play make Jill a dull girl. While enjoying ducking and side-stepping tough opponents with sheer skill and executing her trademark darting runs on the netball courts, Eises fully understood the pitfalls and downsides of sport.

Fully focused and cognisant of the devastating circumstances in which dozens of athletes find themselves entangled upon retiring from competitive sport, the sharp-as-a-razor, calculated goalie always kept her feet firmly on the ground.

She successfully obtained a degree from the University of Namibia (Unam), majoring in Transport Management, in anticipation of having something tangible on the sidelines to fall back on when days are dark. A seasoned digital creator, the multi-skilled ‘Bird’s’ entry into the corporate world kicked off at TransNamib Limited as a clerk.

As it stands, Eises is the incumbent Exports Logistics Coordinator at internationally acclaimed meat exporter MEATCO, a portfolio she has held with distinction since 2008.

Eises’ uninterrupted journey at MEATCO started as Chief Clerk in the Marketing Department before she scaled the corporate ladder to her current position.

An amazingly God-fearing citizen of strong principles and morals, and a consistent church attendee whenever time permits, Eises’ dangerously hard-to-ignore, high-voltage melodic falsetto voice has the potential to send shivers running riot through the bellies of seasoned singers.

An uncompromising, energetic young ‘Bird’ of remarkable pedigree, Eises possesses a pair of distinct characteristics: she is an enthusiastic party animal, a fantastic floor tapper and passionate about outdoor activities.

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