Selah Tuzo On Lifelong Love For Netball
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Selah Tuzo can hardly recall a time when netball was not a central part of her life.
Growing up, she was immersed in the sport, watching her mother, Tanika White, play and coach for Storm – formerly Netts – at Bernard Park.
From an early age, Tuzo was eager to get on the court, and the moment her mother placed a ball in her hands, she was hooked.
By the age of seven, she was already honing her fundamental skills in the Netts junior programme.
“I’ve always had a desire to play netball,” Tuzo told Bernews. “I was around the sport as a kid because of my mom and definitely share her love for the game.
“She was never my primary coach but would have me playing catch and working on my fundamentals from a young age, which I loved. She’s played a big role in my development.”
Tuzo was just 12 when she started competing at the senior level in the Bermuda Netball Association Winter League.
“I’ve always appreciated how Storm put their youth in a position to improve their skills and push us to improve,” said Tuzo, whose mother coaches Storm’s Under-11 and Under-14 teams.
Now 21, Tuzo has built an impressive career in netball, excelling at every stage of her education, from Northlands Primary to Saltus Grammar School and Berkeley Institute.
Most recently, she played a key role in Storm’s strong campaign, helping them finish as runners-up to Lindo’s Tigers this season.
“I’m so proud of my team,” she said. “We worked hard and pushed Tigers all the way.
“We did our absolute best, and I have nothing but pride for the level of netball we played.
“We will do our best to compete again next season. We’ll always be developing and striving to improve.”
The goal attack’s netball achievements extend beyond local competition. Among her career highlights are representing Bermuda at the Under-16 and Under-21 levels.
As captain of the Under-16 team, she showcased her leadership, and in 2018, helped Bermuda’s Under-21 team clinch victory in the USA Netball Under-21 International Development Series in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Bermuda remained undefeated throughout the tournament, securing wins over the US and Canada, with Tuzo earning the MVP award.
“I can’t imagine my life without netball,” she added.
“For the foreseeable future, netball is part of me, and I will stick with it for as long as possible.”
- This is the twelfth in a series of articles in which Bernews is highlighting the island’s netball players.
