"In all honesty, I only value the opinion of people who mean the world to me, and if they are happy with what I’m doing, then that’s all that matters."

"I want to be the reason that somebody never gives up."

"There’s less academic professionals in this industry and if we let it die what’s going to happen to our industry. It’s important that we keep studying and keep going further. There are a few people with a Masters in Sport Management let alone a doctorate. It’s important to have some form of education, it becomes easier when you have the knowledge. There’s certain skills that you learn such as critical thinking that you learn in the classroom. Managers, mentors should be knowledgeable so that they don’t lead athletes astray and help get the best out of athletes."

"I’m not worried about the public’s opinion, they will talk no matter what. I’ve come to the realisation that people don’t know what the definition of love is and with Refiloe and I showing the love we have for each other, maybe it’ll teach them something from a different perspective."

"The role models that the kids can look up to are so diverse. They can now actually relate to a particular person because of the numbers and the mixture of the group."

"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."

"Diversity is our strength."

"An opportunity given to players of different languages and skin colour allows the national team to influence kids from all backgrounds. Every player brings something different and the unity that the team brings is also a big advantage for the team going forward."

"Netball has given me many fantastic opportunities just because someone looked after me. And I looked at how I can use my experience on how to help others so that they can have more or less the same opportunities that I had without having to pay. It was a thoughtful process to start a project and up until today I am really pleased that I actually did."

"There are players that are really doing well despite their upbringing and background."

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

"It makes so much of a difference if you know you can play a part in someone’s life. If they don’t have shoes you can contribute towards that."

"I believe strongly that you can’t just stick to making your home better – you can drive just 100km down the road and find a life that you can change in an instant. And that’s the stuff I’m really looking forward to."

"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."

"I always had a support system even outside my family through Netball. I’ve seen first hand how netball can change one’s life through guidance, support and opportunities!"

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

"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."

"People have commented that when we walk onto court, we move as one – and that’s how it feels. We want this culture to trickle down to netball at every level. We need to respect and support one another so that we can be united. Then, everything else will fall into place."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"I have always enjoyed working with people and wanting to help where I can while showing them respect. When it comes to leadership, I don’t think there’s an exact way of leading people, every situation calls for a different type of leadership. Some situations require you to involve everyone and get their opinions, and other situations require you to give direction. Knowing the fine line between the two and being unbiased is what separates a leader from a great leader."

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

"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."

"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."

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

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

"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."

"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."

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

"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."

"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."

"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."

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

"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."

"Getting there is hard enough, but staying there is harder. You have to be so consistent, you can’t drop the ball on anything that you commit to. It’s hard work, putting in the extras where you lack or know where you need to improve."

"It is challenging mentally because some days, you don’t want to do this but you have to. It’s tough, but that'’s what you’re there to do, that’s your job. That’s the level of competition that you’re playing."

"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."

"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."

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

"We are former players, we have played in the same together, and we have always had the same goal, so the connection is great."

"The players can be inspired by their coaches who have played at the highest level before."

"“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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Having good coaches in a sport system also helps a lot. It also just comes from getting to go to a good school, which contributes to exposing some more netball. I think I got lucky there because we went on tour for a netball tournament and I think that is where. I was fortunate enough to have gone through a system that exposes you to more structural areas in terms of how the pathway is given to us as players and students."