Life Sports Netball Club battles financial odds in Uganda Super League
Club manager Fredrick Mutengesa has made a heartfelt appeal to the corporate community and potential sponsors, underscoring the high costs of sustaining the team.
Life Sport Netball Club head coach Trevor
By Olivia Nakate
Journalists @New Vision
The Uganda Netball Super League continues to spotlight the nation’s rising talent and passion for the sport. Yet for some clubs, the fiercest battle isn’t on the court—it’s the fight for financial survival.
Life Sports Netball Club, now in its second season in the Super League, is among the teams grappling with limited resources. Unlike institutional clubs that benefit from steady funding, Life Sports is privately owned and relies almost entirely on the goodwill of supporters and well-wishers.
Club manager Fredrick Mutengesa has made a heartfelt appeal to the corporate community and potential sponsors, underscoring the high costs of sustaining the team.
“On training days, we spend around 400,000 shillings, and on match days, the expenses rise to about 800,000. That’s a significant amount, yet still not enough to meet the team’s full needs,” Mutengesa explained. “We’re calling on sponsors to support us so these young players can continue chasing their dreams.”
Despite the financial strain, head coach Trevor Nicholas remains committed and optimistic. Life Sports has become a vital platform for talented players who might otherwise lack opportunities to shine. Trevor believes that with adequate funding, the club could not only compete more effectively but also become a breeding ground for future netball stars.
At the close of the first round of the Super League, Life Sports sat 10th on the table with just two points, a standing Trevor insists does not reflect the team’s true potential, but rather the constraints imposed by limited resources.
“Our dream is to build this club into a competitive force that inspires young girls in the community. All we need is a helping hand to keep that vision alive,” he said.
As the Super League unfolds, Life Sports’ journey serves as a poignant reminder of the financial challenges faced by individually owned teams, challenges that persist even as they carry the hopes of nurturing grassroots talent and shaping the future of Ugandan netball.