Girls Only ProjectGirls Only ProjectGirls Only ProjectGirls Only Project
  • Home
  • About GOP
    • Vision & Mission
  • Ambassadors
  • Features
  • Newsroom
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

Q&A with elite female athletes

    Home Features Q&A with elite female athletes
    NextPrevious

    Q&A with elite female athletes

    By Kirsten van Heerden | Features, Newsroom | Comments are Closed | 14 February, 2017 | 0

    Girls Only Project will be starting a new feature this year: a Q&A with South Africa and Africa’s top female athletes about the challenges and joys of being a female athlete. We believe in the power of stories to positively impact others and wanted to provide a platform for female athletes to share their personal, unique stories.

    First up we have a Q&A with our ambassador Bongi Msomi – SA Netball captain:

    Where did it all start?

    Although I only started playing sport when I was in Grade 11 , I would say it all started the first day I came to this world. The way I was brought up by my parents and the environment I was brought in all contributed to where I am now. We sometimes moan and complain about a number of things, not understanding that life is a journey and a process. Everything contributes to a person you become at a later stage.

    The fear of knowing you’ve got nothing and so wanting to do better in everything you did was always in me. One of my big fears was being a disappointment, so I always wanted to do the best I could; either during training or competitions. I wanted to prove to my parents that I could be good in sport otherwise I know they wouldn’t really buy into it and wouldn’t want me to play.

    What would you want to tell your 12 year old self?

    “Whatever that your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve”

    Allow yourself to be challenged as growth is experienced through tough times. The sooner you follow your dreams, the better it would be for you in future. Have confidence in yourself. Know your rights and responsibilities.

    What is your most treasured sporting memory?

    Being selected to represent my country would always be one of the most treasured memories of my sporting career. From u/21 to becoming the Spar Protea Captain, it has always been a challenge but also huge honour. Opportunities that come with representing your country are memorable as well. And luckily I am still building some memories now!

    What is the best thing about being a female athlete?

    Being able to break some gender stereotypes through sport. Being a female athlete means living the life that every girl child deserves. The freedom of experiencing the life that a number of females out there were discouraged to live. The best thing about being a female athlete is to know that you give hope to generations.

    What is the worst thing about being a female athlete?

    The expectation of being well supported and getting the recognition for your efforts in the same way male athletes would be, and being disappointed when this doesn’t happen.

    If you could change one thing about women’s sport what would it be?

    Despite everything else, discrimination is only of the most important reasons why females would not want to be or are not allowed to be involved into sport. If I could be able to change one thing, for the benefits of all the girls out there, it would be “DISCRIMINATION”.

    What would you want others to know about what it means to be a female athlete?

    Being a female athlete means classifying yourself in a different way than others. It means being unique, dedicated and responsible of your own life. Taking challenges as a lesson, learning to keep believing in your goals even when most people does not.

    It means that when you’ve gone past the tough times of hard work and preparation challenges, only then you would reap the benefits. Perseverance is important.

    Being a female athlete means understanding all the challenges female athletes’ face yet still working hard to become the person you’ve dreamed of.

    No tags.

    Related Post

    • Emily Hawgood

      By Kirsten van Heerden | 0 comment

      Emily is an Ultra Trail runner. She originally was interested in Cross Country running and even spent some time in the pool as well as doing Triathlon. She eventually found herself on the trails andRead more

    • The “taboo” topic of endometriosis in sport

      By Kirsten van Heerden | 0 comment

      #WorldHealthDay is upon us, and so what better time to confront those “uncomfortable” conversations around women’s health in sport that are often only talked about in hushed, whispered tones. Probably one of the most avoidedRead more

    • Breeana Walker

      By Kirsten van Heerden | 0 comment

      Bree is an Australian bobsledder. She started her a career on the athletics track but  made the transition to bobsled in 2016. Bree has really made a name for herself as a bobsledder with herRead more

    • Sarah Douglas

      By Kirsten van Heerden | 0 comment

      Sarah is a Canadian competitive sailor.  She is the reigning Pan American Champion in the Laser Radial event and also competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo where she placed 6th. Not only isRead more

    • Caradh O’Donovan

      By Kirsten van Heerden | 0 comment

      Caradh is a former World and European Champion kickboxer. After a successful career in the sport she made the switch to karate in 2017 working towards representing Ireland at the Tokyo Olympic Games. She unfortunatelyRead more

    • Lucy Grills

      By Kirsten van Heerden | 0 comment

      Lucy has represented Australia in Junior, U21 and Open Australian teams for Polocrosse. Together with her family, Lucy owns and operates Berragoon Australian Stock Horse Stud: a reproduction facility for breeding horses. Berragoon was establishedRead more

    • Katie Spada

      By Kirsten van Heerden | 0 comment

      Katie is a former competitive synchronised swimmer, now a Dietician Nutritionist working with athletes current and retired to support them in their relationship with food. We cover so many topics in this podcast; retirement, transitionRead more

    • Lia Neal

      By Kirsten van Heerden | 0 comment

      Lia Neal is an American competitive swimmer who specializes in freestyle events. In her Olympic debut at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, she won a bronze medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. In 2016,Read more

    NextPrevious
    Loading

    Recent Posts

    • Emily Hawgood
    • The “taboo” topic of endometriosis in sport
    • Breeana Walker
    • Sarah Douglas
    • Caradh O’Donovan

    Archives

    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • January 2022
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • November 2020
    • August 2020
    • February 2020
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • September 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    Copyright 2021 Girls Only Project / Website designed by Pixel Bay | All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy / POPIA Act information
    • Home
    • About GOP
      • Vision & Mission
    • Ambassadors
    • Features
    • Newsroom
    • Podcast
    • Contact Us
    Girls Only Project