Netball star Kaspar swaps court for cradle

Namibian Navy star Anna Kaspar’s absence from the netball court is striking. The Walvis Bay-based shooting star, who also plays for the Desert Jewels, has been nursing her newborn baby since last year.

Kaspar has won multiple awards and built herself a reputation as one of the most clinical shooters for club and country.

“I was born in Windhoek but grew up at Omugwelume settlement, but was only during my years at Eengedjo Secondary School that my netball journey came to fruition. I was already playing for the national under-19 team.”

Kaspar says she eventually started earning the respect of her older teammates.

“I was playing centre at primary school before I eventually switched to the goal-attack positions. I was such a neutral in my position because I was a natural,” she says.

“I was in high school when I received my first under-20 call-up and we went to participate in the Ball Games in East London. I finished as the best shooter of the event.”

Former Namibia National Olympic Committee staff member Joan Smit took a keen interest in Kaspar’s netball career and tried to send her to England.

“I could, however, not make it to England because of Namibia’s lower place on the international netball ranking list,” Kaspar says.