"Netball has changed over the years with the make-up of the team in terms of representing who we are as a country. South Africa is diverse and netball is currently a true reflection of who we are."

"“Also being an athlete, I know what it feels like to not get what you’re supposed to get. My job is to communicate with federations, captains and managers to make sure that everyone is happy within their roles and codes. Just to make sure everyone has what they’re supposed to have."

"Netball has really changed my life drastically and I’m hoping that someone will follow in my footsteps. To take the journey that I’ve taken by using sports to change their lives."

"If athletes do not have the support and their basic needs are not satisfied then they die out. Young athletes drop out of sport because of the lack of support from around their communities."

"You also have bills to pay. Sport can also assist in that sense, so it’s a fantastic opportunity that one can explore."

"I think education is the key for all the young players. Going to school is important, especially being a female athlete in South Africa. The sports that we play is not professional, you need to have another source of income."

"Netball is an easy sport – all you need is a ball and a bit of space. Everyone can understand it and relate to it, no matter who they are and which part of the country they’re from."

"It was amazing for me to witness these young South Africans seeing a future for themselves in netball."

"All I know is what you see is what you get."

"What’s what makes a good leader, your actions in the present, it’s not always necessary to talk so much, you must lead by example."

"Women are getting to sit at big seats at the table, and this makes me proud."

"Cherish that moment because it’s not guaranteed, nothing in sport is a lifetime thing, it’s really about that time when you are still able to and can still run around injury-free and healthy."

"Every encounter has added to the person I am today. I am blessed."

"Being captain isn’t just about wearing the armband, it’s about connecting with people, understanding what motivates them, and creating an environment where everyone can perform at their best."

"The passion I have for netball is at another level."

"I like experiencing progress and I always think it is best for the future. I can proudly say that amongst all the black players in the Spar Proteas‚ none of them would say they feel marginalised or ill-treated because of their skin colour because we all matter."

"As a woman in sport, there are areas where we can still be better but now and then I look back and think about those who changed things for us or played their part in making sure that in a few days, we can celebrate Freedom Day."

"This for me is what I take from the sport and will always hold dear to my heart. Through this, I’ve learnt to love the sport and the competition. I’ve learnt to grow from the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities to discover myself continuously and to live limitlessly."

"Random situations where I had to say ‘sorry I didn’t hear’‚ but the conversation or coaching was in Afrikaans‚ which used to be a norm."

"I am extremely proud of what I have achieved and am grateful to many people behind the scenes who have made this all possible."

"We black people sometimes do treat white people differently to how we treat other blacks."

"I have to thank God for the idea of knowing when to take one big decision, moving forward into the next level, not just my netball career but my life in general."

"I love having the opportunity to help empower women and I want to give hope to all girls in the South African community."

"Every time my name is announced in the national squad there is a feeling of excitement."

"Because I know if anyone is given a chance, are supported fully and obviously given the right information, they can actually be as big as they want to be. I love that I am seeing this with the girls."

"You have to set the standards, and you can’t drop the ball."

"They have taught me that leadership is never one-size-fits-all. Every person in the team is different; some need encouragement, some need accountability, some just need to be heard. I’ve learned to listen more, to be patient, and to celebrate others’ strengths."

"Leadership for me is about guiding, not controlling."

"I will remain a proud ambassador for the beautiful sport of netball, and I will remain fully committed to maintaining my humanitarian and philanthropic endeavours."

"When I look at where netball was when I started and where it is now, the professionalism, the exposure, the opportunities, it’s truly inspiring."

"I always strive to better myself and give my best on and off court."

"The younger generation now sees netball as a career, not just a passion."

"Whatever you want to work towards or whatever you want to achieve, it doesn’t matter who you are, your height, or whatever your circumstances are, you can achieve it and it comes with a lot of hard work."

"Where you come from or even how you look doesn’t determine where you are going. It is important to know where you want to be in order to set goals and chase them. Believing in God and believing in yourself is vital to achieving your dreams."

"I’ve got goals to achieve so I need to keep working."

"‘Come on, Shirl, give it a whirl.’"

"To overcome challenges, it is good to reach out to family and friends and I do believe it means having a great bond between you and your coach to always let them know how you are feeling since all kinds of challenges can affect your training."

"It is always lovely to be recognised for what you are doing, but it should never be the sole purpose to do what you are doing. If you are swimming to get recognised, then you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. You should do it for the love of the sport, the love of being active and the experiences that come with it. If you then get recognised for doing something great it is only a bonus and it doesn’t define you."

"I can’t believe what I had achieved. I had a difficult two years in which I did not once get close to swimming a personal best time. So, I had been quite discouraged ever so often. All I wanted to do at the Olympics Games was to swim a personal best time. It is what I wanted out of the whole Tokyo experience"

"I am very dedicated and motivated to the things that I love, when I put my mind to something I would do anything in my power to achieve it"

"She’s had to compete against and chase swimmers, faster and older than her for her whole career and it’s never fazed her. That’s a major reason why she’s where she is today and why she’s so comfortable punching above her weight",Da Ponte"

"Never give up! Your time will come, and some days will be hard, but the good days will be unforgettable."

"I really am living my dream at the moment, and am just keeping focused on enjoying the journey and taking it one moment at a time."

"It’s a big step up. The hard work is only starting now, and I love all the new challenges coming my way and I am learning a lot from each challenge."

"Sometimes there are setbacks, and you just have to sit back and see what needs to be done to ensure you get where you need to be and achieve what you want."

"I would give them the advice to never lose the hunger to be better. Every day I wake up wanting to better and to achieve better, but not better than someone else but better than me."

"Make sure that you challenge yourself to be a whole person, work on yourself not just physically but take care of yourself emotionally, spiritually and mentally. It takes a whole person to succeed. Lastly, build a support system around you that will support you through the highs and the lows since swimming is not an individual sport, you might swim alone but it takes a team to get you faster."