18 May 2016

Multitalented BDF VI player Lee Tshipana is an undecided fellow. His headache is between taking up a fulltime coaching position with BDF VI ladies volleyball team and returning to the courts as a player for BDF VI men volleyball team. 

When he sustained a knee injury two years back, Tshipana, as a result of inactivity on his part, sought to assist the ladies team coach to continue serving the sport of his heart. But, after recovering from a nagging and an almost career-ending injury Tshipana is considering if not yearning for a comeback. However, he has a ladies team to drill. 

“The then ladies coach believed that I was capable of bringing results to the team and handed the team to me but, by the time I recovered from the knee injury I had developed passion for coaching,” said Tshipana about his undying love for coaching whilst still challenged by an inner man that tells him to return to the court for more action.  

Notwithstanding his capacity as a coach, especially that he believes he had produced good results for a starter like him, Tshipana says the volleyball community could still witness the return of the left-handed volleyballer. He said until BDF VI volleyball men find about four replacements into the team his name may still be a feature for the army boys.

But, Tshipana plays cagey and engages emotional game into his situation. 

BDF VI is the team he grew up after joining the side in 1999. In fact, the team moulded him to be a player whose display  has been enjoyed by the volleyball community. 

But when pressed to be categorically clear about whether or not he is retired, Tshipana says, “I am not sure because around 95 percent of my time is spent with ladies team and I would love to say I am coaching.” 

Of the factors that push him towards considering coaching over playing is the encouragement he gets from seasoned coaches.  He said even the national volleyball team coach has applauded him for posting good results.

Despite considering fulltime coaching, Tshipana said the task was more challenging that of a player. Players could still be assisted when their mental capacities are failing them, a facility that could not be extended to a coach, Tshipana observed.

As a coach, he said it pains him when he shouts instruction but, his charges fail to execute as said. 

But, the funny part of coaching, according to Tshipana is when in identifying a mistake by his players and going on to rectify it. This, he said is consequence of his love for imparting skills to others. 

For Tshipana, sport is about discipline hence, he finds no difference in a coaching an institutional team, especially from a disciplined force, and a community team. He said the team has a management structure, which thrives towards excellence and running the team as professionally as they could. 

He wants his players to be meaningfully engaged in life and that it was part of his responsibilities to advise players in that regard, despite challenges. ENDS