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TOUGH ON-COURT ENCOUNTERS AND KFC CRAVINGS
By Khanyisa Chawane
SPAR Proteas captain Khanyisa Chawane shares how her time in the UK’ s NSL is shaping her as a player, how she keeps tabs on SA’ s own TNL, and what she still misses most from home …
A typical week here is pretty structured. We Playing in the Netball Super League in the UK has been really exciting but also challenging in a good way. The intensity is high every single game, and there’ s no room to switch off. I think the biggest thing has been adjusting to the pace and physicality, but I’ ve really been enjoying testing myself in this kind of environment. That’ s why I keep coming back.
It’ s been a better season for me personally this year. I think I’ ve become a lot more composed under pressure. Early on, everything felt a bit rushed, but now I’ m starting to trust my decisions more. My movement off the ball and my timing into space have definitely improved as well.
It’ s been really good to see how well all the South Africans are adapting in this league. I wouldn’ t single out just one, but I think what’ s impressed me most is how we’ re all holding our own and contributing.
With the Commonwealth Games coming later this year and England in our pool, being in this environment has also brought extra value. You get a much better understanding of their style, their structures, and even individual players’ tendencies. It doesn’ t give everything away, but it definitely helps you feel more prepared and less unfamiliar when you come up against them internationally.
Even while I’ m abroad, I’ m still keeping tabs on the Telkom Netball League, which has just kicked off back home. I try to keep up as much as I can, whether it’ s highlights or checking results. It’ s such an important part of our system back home.
I really believe the TNL has been huge for South African netball. It’ s created consistency in competition and given players a platform to develop under pressure. You can definitely see the improvement in skill level, fitness, and game understanding over the years.
It would be massive. Playing in a fully professional environment week in and week out raises your standard automatically. That consistency is what separates the top teams. We are able to beat England with all the structures they have that we don’ t, so you can only imagine what we can do if we are provided with the same.
Back to life in Cardiff, and I’ m looking forward to summer’ s arrival! I’ ve definitely been wearing more layers than usual. The weather took some getting used to, but I’ m adapting. Let’ s just say I’ ve learned the importance of layering properly. On the good side, it’ s almost summer now. I’ m wearing shorts and layering off, so I’ m in a good space. I’ ve seen the sun a bit more than I was supposed to, which is good.
I’ ve got used to the lingo here as well. I think the weirdest British slang that I’ ve picked up is probably the expression:“ I’ m knackered!” At first I had no idea what it meant, and now I catch myself saying it all the time.
Apart from family and friends, the thing I miss most from home is a good home-cooked meal, something like pap and meat. You don’ t realise how much you miss it until you’ re away. I’ ve tried to find ways to make every meal feel like home, but it will just never be the same. I also just can’ t wait to get home and have KFC Dunked Wings! They don’ t have them here.
People often ask if South Africa can one day have a fully professional league like the NSL, and I do think it’ s possible, but it will take time and the right investment. The talent is definitely there. It’ s more about building the structures and support around the players.
Until next time, KC www. modernathlete. co. za 29