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between us. We check in with each other, support each other’ s performances, and when we come back together for national duty it still feels very natural.
While they stand side by side on the netball court in the SA team, things aren’ t quite so friendly when they come up against each other on opposite sides in the Netball Super League where Chawane is playing for the Cardiff Dragons. She tells us all about life in the UK …
A typical week here is pretty structured. We usually start the week reviewing the previous game, looking at video and identifying areas we want to improve. Then we build toward the weekend match through focused training sessions, working a lot on combinations and game scenarios.
CAPTAIN’ S COLUMN
with SPAR Proteas netball captain Khanyisa Chawane
Matchday itself is quite good and structured as well – the build-up, the crowd, and the energy around the game itself. I also try to look after my recovery and conditioning during the week so I can perform consistently. We hit the gym at most three times a week with two full-court sessions and two conditioning sessions. So it’ s a full week!
I’ m kind of used to lining up against my SPAR Proteas teammates by now, but it is a bit strange because you’ re so used to being on the same side and working toward the same goal and then all of a sudden, for that hour, you need to pretend like you don’ t know each other. But that’ s also the beauty of playing in international leagues. You compete hard on the court, but there’ s still a lot of respect and friendship off it.
There’ s definitely a friendly rivalry because we know each other so well, but once the whistle goes, it’ s full competition mode. Everyone wants to perform for their club. After the match though, it’ s always nice to catch up and share a laugh.
We all speak quite regularly and visit each other a lot! If we’ re playing against each other on that weekend, we then stay over and spend the weekend together. Even though we’ re all in different teams, there’ s still that strong bond
If we all got together for a braai, I’ d say I think the music would probably be handled by Nicola [ Smith ]. We call her DJ Long John. The chef would definitely have Shadine [ van der Merwe ], those are just her things. And Kamo [ Maseko ] would definitely be the energiser. She never runs out of energy! Never!
But back to business … Even though we’ re playing overseas at the moment, competing for the national team is always at the back of our minds. While I’ m fully committed to my club during the season, representing South Africa is always a huge motivation and the ultimate goal. Everyone wants to do well for their country. And major tournaments like the Commonwealth Games are always part of the bigger picture.
It would mean a lot for our team to make a big statement at the Commonwealth Games this year. This group has been building for a while and there’ s a lot of belief within the team. Making a strong statement on a stage like that would reflect the work, growth, and commitment of everyone involved in the process, and we can’ t wait!
Until next time, KC www. modernathlete. co. za 29