The Zimqueens started as a netball team but it soon became a family.
The squad competes in the Thomastown Netball Association, north of Melbourne. It was established by a group of women who came to Australia from Zimbabwe in the last 15 years, to encourage women of the community to participate in sports.
Goal shooter Serina Bofu, the founding member of the squad, said each match and training session felt like a little piece of home.
"We just feel like we're in Zimbabwe. We'll be talking our own language and we'll be laughing, just as a social group it is quite good for us," she said.
Zimqueens team with Coach Colleen Topping. (SBS)
Most of the women played netball in Zimbabwe but the changes in rules and language used by the umpires took some getting used to.
"Most of us have a bit of a background in netball but that was a long time ago and comparing the netball then to the netball now is quite different," said goal attack Aquillinah Bangura.
Their skills needed some fine tuning but after the appointment of coach Colleen Topping last year the Zimqueens wrapped up this season fifth on the ladder. Coach Topping said the players already had the basics in place, with the hardest part just trying to get their attention.
"You got to get the focus back and get them to listen to you because they come off court and love to talk about what's been going on because a lot of them don't see eachother week to week," she said.
The extended families of most of the players were still in Zimbabwe, making the Zimqueens team an answer to cultural isolation for many in the squad. It's a tradition they're hoping to pass on to the next generation, as they establish Zimqueens Juniors.
Ten-year old Chantelle Makura wanted to play just like her mum.
"I'd like to start a Zimqueens Junior team so that all the other little ones that want to play could come and play like the older ones," she said.
Chantelle Makura (SBS)
The Zimqueens were hoping to set a good example when the new season kicks off next month, with their sights set on a title.
"We have to be on the top, that's our goal we have to be on the top." said goal shooter Serina Bofu.
