"The ability to think several moves ahead in chess has translated into improved anticipation and decision-making on the football pitch. I can now better identify potential openings and visualize different scenarios."

"But that’s the point: no matter where you come from, the path may be different, but the destination can be the same. We can all reach the top level, each in our own way."

"We did apply ourselves and did everything we could to win, but sometimes when it is not your day, it’s not your day."

"But at the end of the day, you don’t do things to please people but to please yourself and for your well-being and what you think is the best for you. At the end of the day, it’s about you."

"Every girl has to be strong and push forward, never listen to any negativity. People will hate and love, you must face it all. That’s life, it’s never easy."

"Growing up in a small town, I never had small dreams. Only big targets and destinations! I always dream big."

"I faced many people that always told me football is not for girls, but it’s not about that, it’s about what I love."

"My football career started at the age of 13. I was very hyped and excited for football, playing for the national team and my team. I was just enjoying the fact that I’m playing football."

"To young girls, you should not try to be someone else. You do not what people go through to be who they are. Do not listen to people saying, ‘you cannot do it’. Only you can decide that!"

"Being a coach is not as easy as everyone thinks. There are so many aspects of the game that you have to pay close attention to. You need to understand the mindset of the players, as well as their mentality to buy into your philosophy. Being a coach also makes one understand the psychological aspects of the game because I am now able to understand the frustrations of a player when things are not going according to plan. Overall, by becoming a coach, I have gained a broader understanding of the game."

"The only problem that we have as Africans going overseas is our development."

"I would say they do support me today, even though they would prefer if I was a princess. But I refuse to be that because football is something that I love, it completes my life and my world."

"It is not easy playing with the ‘big guns’, but we enjoyed ourselves and the experience we got playing there, we are using it now."

"I would start by introducing school football and development academies for girls, and then ensuring there were sponsors for female teams and seeking support from the department of sport and other organisations to assist with the growth of women's and girls' sport across all provinces."

"When I was young, they tried to stop me from playing football, but I refused and told them I was not interested in royal duties, my mom was not happy."

"I don’t normally like to talk about it. Coming from a royal family, being a female and wanting to play football. The family… they wanted me to be something else."

"Football has given me so many memories and lessons that I will carry for life."

"We did not just do it for ourselves, but also the young ones out there, the next generation so that everyone can recognize that in South Africa we have good players. That will hopefully open the doors for others to get a contract overseas."

"Age is just a number, as long as I can still play and run, that is what matters most."

"It’s always a good feeling when you have a positive impact on the outcome of a game."

"The will was there to continue, but the body was no longer responding the way it used to. I had to listen to it, respect its limits and make the tough decision."

"Consistency is very important, it builds the team's confidence."

"We have learnt that there's a much quicker way of moving the football, we learnt not to give the ball too much."

"The transition from being a player to stepping into a coach has been exciting and humbling. As a player, I was used to being on the field—scoring, assisting and making things happen. Now, I lead from the sidelines, but with the same passion and drive. It is a different kind of responsibility that requires vision, clarity and patience."

"I always feel so emotional when I see youngsters knocking the ball around with confidence. I see myself in them and it excites me to train them. I hope that they keep their heads down and learn more about the game. I hope they eventually exceed my achievements because they are very talented and I am working hard to help them achieve their potential."

"At training or on the field of play it is not so much an issue because football language is universal, and I understand most words. The main challenge is when I have to converse with my teammates off the field, but I am getting there."

"Every dream has its challenges, and those challenges build you. It’s always about how you get up."

"I believe if you mix new and experienced players it makes a good team. Younger players have energy and experienced players have the experience to build."

"My love for football goes beyond just playing the game to the best of my ability. I love all facets of the game and being a coach excites me. While I was abroad, I had the privilege of interacting with several people who broadened my holistic understanding of the game. My journey thus far as a coach has been an interesting one because it has opened my eyes to several ideas about what goes on before, during and after the game."

"I am very happy with the way the world is paying attention to women in the game of football."

"What makes it easier is that I have walked the same path many of these players are on. I know what they are fighting for. I am here to guide them—with honesty and experience."

"We don’t approach football games seeking revenge."

"It depends on the coach. Every player and every coach has their own preference. So, if the coach prefers a certain player you won't make the team. In South Africa when you reach 30, they think you are old."

"I am thankful for everyone who have contributed to my growth, good and bad, and I am ready for the new challenges ahead of me that requires new focus."

"I am happy to have contributed to their growth with opportunities that were not around when I started as a young kid."

"I am excited for what lies ahead and ready to continue building a legacy that empowers the next generation."

"We don't believe in experience and experience can't be bought. You build experience. So, this thing of 'We are building, we want new blood' I feel like we still have a long way to go."

"I am going to wear this, I am going to go to bed with it, I am going to shower with it, because this wasn't even possible for me. This is probably my gold…. for now."

"I was walking away from cricket."

"I went to rehab and now to play the final four months afterwards, it's pretty emotional."

"entered rehab and that humbled me, but I still didn't admit that I was an alcoholic. At that point I realised that if I lose my cricket career, so be it ... It was my life that I was trying to get back. Whether I had a career coming back, it didn't matter."

"I am still alive, I am sober and I am grateful. It has taught me to take each day as it comes and not to worry about tomorrow."

"Social media doesn't support you. You have a really tough day and people just bullet you on social media. That sent me over the edge. It just wouldn't stop."

"Cricket is a game where you wake up and you have another day."

"No-one turned their backs on me during my struggles. I'm no longer playing for myself like before because it was always about me, now it is about how I get better for the team."

"I have got a lot more to give."

"I was in such a bad place that I didn't care what happened to me."

"It’s down to teamwork."

"I felt like I was drinking to die because I had nothing left to give."