Botswana’s Senior National Team Captain and Draihoek’s born tall circle defender, Francinah Eyman has been named in World Netball’s ‘VOICE OF THE ATHLETE’ Working Group following the launch of its strategic plan.
Under its core strategic pillar, ‘GOVERN’, World Netball highlights the importance of working collaboratively with those that live and breathe netball every day in order to develop the sport.
The Voice of the Athlete Working Group will begin this process by working together throughout 2021 to determine a suitable framework for a future Athletes Commission, which will be established following recommendations by the Working Group to the World Netball Board.
Alongside Francinah Eyman, the following athletes will make up the Voice of the Athlete Working Group following a successful recruitment campaign in April 2021:
1. Liz Watson: AUSTRALIA
2. Francis-Bayman: ENGLAND
3. Bryony Rovegno: GIBRALTAR
4. Malysha Kelly: JAMAICA
5. Katrina Rore: NEW ZEALAND
6. Auteletoa Tanimo: SAMOA
7. Emily Nicholl: SCOTLAND
8. Aqilah Andin: SINGAPORE
9. Samantha Wallace: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
When reacting to the appointment of Francinah, BONA President Malebo Raditladi-Nkgakile said, “On behalf of the BONA National Executive Committee, the BONA Zonal Committees Leadership, all members and netball stakeholders in general, I take this opportunity to congratulate our very own Senior National Team Captain, the Chairperson of the BONA Interim Athletes Commission and UB Crystals player, Francinah Eyman for being appointed to be one of the 10 “World Voice of the Athlete” Working Group members.
“Francinah is the only African representative in the Group. That alone gives us pride and honour to say she is chosen as the best in Africa to represent athletes based on her background. I have no doubt that she will represent Botswana, Africa and the world well”.
“I wish her well in her new role and remind her to always remember that, the position she holds, as a title holder she should always remember to carry the title with dignity as we know her, she should be there to guide and change athletes’ welfare, and ensure better athletes centred approach processes.
“Athletes will be looking up to her for guidance and she should lead them with dignity and wisdom. Carry the Botswana Flag all the way Francinah, we Salute you”!
The Working Group consists of current international athletes with at least three years international playing experience and have been endorsed by their Member or their Regional Federation or Executive Board.
The athletes have been selected to ensure representation across the five World Netball regions across teams ranked 1-5, 6-20, and 21 and above.
Supported by World Netball Board Directors, Lyn Carpenter for Europe, and Gaby Hochbaum for Asia, alongside World Netball Head of Events, Lindsay Impett, the Working Group will meet up to four times in 2021 and recommendations will be made to the World Netball Board by the end of the year.
© Botswana Netball Association
