The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE national women’s cricket team captain, Mary-Anne Musonda is excited to be chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the International Cricket Council’s Cricket Future Leaders Programme, which is aimed at addressing the low percentage of women in leadership positions in global cricket as well building a pipeline of new female leaders in the sport.
Musonda was last week named as one of the 40 women from 29 ICC member countries that have been chosen as part of the ICC 100% Cricket Future Leaders Programme designed to support emerging female talent in cricket.
The Lady Chevrons is thrilled to be chosen from a list of applications with her aim being to achieve growth as well gaining maturity from the mentorship. Musonda is part of the second batch which commences in November.
“It’s exciting. I read there were a lot of other applicants from many countries around the globe. To make the cut is a great achievement. I am looking for growth and maturity, growth in mindset and skills and also getting a different perspective of cricket and other issues alike,’’ Musonda said.
She sees the mentorship as a chance to gain access to those in cricket who have achieved a lot.
“I think it’s a huge opportunity to be given access to successful individuals in the game, those who have seen and experienced cricket at higher stages, those who have walked in places I haven’t yet or might not,’’ she said.
Musonda has not yet made up her mind on the areas she needs guidance on as she has chosen three fields.
“Let’s say I had not yet decided, mainly I didn’t want to limit myself too early. I had three areas, that is player growth, management and board.”
The 30-year old has ambitions of being in cricket leadership once her playing career comes to an end.
“I do see myself as a future leader. I think it would be a huge let down not only to myself but to those who look up to me, and to those who will come after me, if I don’t push myself to contribute at bigger stages. I have aspirations to seat on the ZC board in future. But let’s see what the future holds,’’ said Musonda.
On when she is calling it a day from playing, Musonda said she is undecided, with her plan being to retire once she becomes a burden to the team.
“I have no idea (about retirement) but I do not intend on playing till I’m a liability to the team, no ways. I just can’t put a number to it for now.”
Musonda is a holder of a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Finance from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a Master of Commerce in Development Finance from the University of Cape Town. The Lady Chevrons skipper recently missed the five-match one day series against South Africa Emerging because she is recovering from a knee surgery. — @Mdawini_29.
