New Zealand netball star Nweke inspires Lagos talents

New Zealand netball star Grace Nweke has hailed the talent and eagerness to learn among young Nigerian players after returning to Lagos to mentor aspiring netballers as part of the Coming Home programme, The PUNCH reports.

Nweke, who was born in Auckland to Nigerian parents, was among the international netball stars who participated in the programme, which featured trials, coaching sessions and an exhibition match at Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba.

The 24-year-old goal shooter said the experience of coaching and interacting with the young players was particularly rewarding, while expressing optimism about the future of netball in Nigeria.

“It warms my heart to see many Nigerian athletes take on netball. It’s full circle for me to be in Lagos to give back through a game that I love and has given me so much.

“To be a netballer and share my Nigerian heritage has been really inspiring. The athletes are keen to learn and grow, and a lot of them have basketball knowledge with a lot of transferable skills.

“If we can do more of this, not only in Lagos but in other parts of the country more frequently, we will see the game grow and more success in the future.”

The initiative also attracted support from the UK and Australian governments, with stakeholders highlighting the potential for international collaboration to accelerate the development of netball in Nigeria.

Simon Field, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, said there was significant scope for greater sports collaboration between the UK and Nigeria.

“I think it’s really important, sports collaboration between the UK and Nigeria, especially as Lagos has sent so many amazing athletes into the world, especially to the UK.

“There are so many opportunities for sports collaborations, especially for young athletes in Lagos State.”

Ade Adebisi, Head of Africa at TalentLockr and a board member of the Lagos State Netball Association, said the programme had exposed young Nigerian players to world-class experience and mentorship.

“From the trials to the selection exhibition, all held at Rowe Park, the talent, energy and dedication we’ve witnessed from these young players has been outstanding.

“Bringing Grace Nweke back to Lagos, alongside Carissa Tombs and Stephanie Raileqe, gave our girls direct access to world-class experience and mentorship they will carry with them for years to come.

“This is only the beginning of what we believe will become a lasting pathway for netball talent in Nigeria.”

The Australian Government also welcomed the programme, noting that its partnership with Nigerian stakeholders could help establish lasting links in coaching, player development and grassroots participation.

“Australia is proud to support the Coming Home programme and to have helped bring Grace Nweke and former Australian Diamond Carissa Tombs OAM to Nigeria.

“Netball is a major sport in Australia, and we have considerable expertise to share as the game continues to grow in Nigeria.

“We’re particularly pleased to see the partnership developing between Australia’s Netball Development Academy and the Lagos State Netball Association, building lasting links in coaching, player development and grassroots participation.”

Nweke was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on February 7, 2002, to Nigerian parents who had emigrated to the country. Standing at 1.93m, she plays as a goal shooter and became the first player of African descent to represent the New Zealand Silver Ferns.\She played a key role in the Silver Ferns’ bronze-medal run at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and made her Netball World Cup debut in 2023, although her campaign was cut short by injury.

Nweke was also instrumental in New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games gold-medal triumph in Glasgow, helping the Silver Ferns claim their first title since 2010 with a 56-48 victory over Jamaica in the final.

She finished the tournament as the competition’s leading scorer, netting 229 goals in 270 minutes on court. Her standout performances included a 52-from-57 shooting display in the semi-final against England and 48-from-54 in the gold-medal match against Jamaica.

Nweke recently signed a three-year deal with the Sydney Sirens after leaving cross-town rivals NSW Swifts.