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Di Woolley
has been involved in sports administration for nearly 30 years but she still
speaks with such passion about her role in further developing netball in South Africa.
Di is committed to making netball more visible and getting funding for
development while finding by balance by preaching when time allows for it.

Here is an
individual who loves doing things for others and while acknowledging there are
challenges that lie ahead for netball, is prepared to go the extra mile. As
chairperson of South African Schools Netball, Di’s focus is on the new
generation, and she is aware of the impact the U13 Challenge has made on the
state of the game in South
Africa.

Prior to
becoming involved in sports administration, first as a physical education
teacher, and later as a netball administrator, Di was an avid sportswoman,
playing provincial cricket, football, volleyball, athletics, tennis, and
hockey.

Di is a
self-confessed workaholic and it’s evident in her successes to date, which
mostly involve securing sponsorship, and contributing to building netball
administration structures at provincial levels. Di believes you can’t sit back
and wait for something to come your way, you have to go out and get it.

Although her options for exercise
are limited since breaking her knee, Di enjoys cycling when she finds the time.
She is also an avid armchair sports fan, enjoying cricket, rugby, football,
gymnastics, tennis, and netball. Di admits that while she doesn’t have a
favourite sports star, Jonty Rhodes, Brian Habana, Bjorn Borg, Chris Everitt
and Nasdia Kominensk have impressed her by their humility and commitment.

Say what you want about the state
of netball and how things need to improve, but the reality is that every day,
behind the scenes, there are people like Di Woolley working away, without
recognition, to make things better for the next generation.

It is a real honour to introduce
you to gsport’s July Woman; Di Woolley!

Di, your journey with netball stretches back many years, how did you
get involved?

I got involved by being a Physical
Education teacher. When I arrived at Benoni High as a teacher my headmaster
told me to do Netball. When I told him I knew nothing he said I should go and
learn and then attended various courses. It was because of the children that I
got involved in 1980 and still am today.

What did you do before getting involved with netball administration?

I was an avid sportswoman playing
provincial cricket, football, volleyball, athletics. Other codes included Hockey
and Tennis.

What are your current projects and what do you enjoy most about them?

I am involved in trying to get
Netball more visible and to get funding which in the light of 2010 is mission
impossible. I am also involved in preaching every now again which is really
food for the soul. These are very important in my life as they give me
stability and I love doing things for others.

How would you describe the state of netball in SA and how can we
improve it?

Netball in SA is very much alive
and well however there are still areas where “internal politics” play a role.
Schools Netball is flourishing and if the Department of Sport would assist in
our various development programmes I believe it could be a lot bigger.

The under-13 challenge has yielded good results in years gone by, how
is this league progressing?

The U13 Challenge is still very
much a part of our programme and again I need to thank Shoprite Checkers for
their role in getting it on the map. This is very evident in all our age groups
going up as they have been growing since U13.

What have been some of your highlights as a sports administrator?

Highlights would include – getting
various sponsors for attire for officials & players, we have branded Mitre
Netballs as our own, we have an office based in Pretoria with the assistance of
XCO, Each of our provinces have a photocopier & fax machine at their
disposal, each provincial chairperson & executive member has a cell phone
with limited calls each month, we have a positive identity. We have built many international
relationships, done development in Malaysia and have given many young
people an opportunity to tour abroad in our national teams.

What are some of the lessons you have learnt over the years?

Lessons that I have learned is that
you can’t sit back and wait for something to come your way you need to go out
and get it. All things are possible with perseverence and prayer.

Who are some of the people that have supported your career?

My family, my colleagues, my
Netball family and my boss.

What is your advice to women keen to break into sports administration?

You need to be tough. You cannot
allow a setback to get you under, you need to keep going. You need to be the
least in instances as well. You have to work really hard to get somewhere. You
must remain positively focused.

What are your favourite spectator sports and what do you enjoy about
them?

I enjoy Cricket, Rubgy, Football,
Gymnastics, Tennis, Netball. These are varied yet maintain the grace of
sportsmanship.

Who are your favourite sports stars?

I don’t really have a favorite
sports star because in my eyes we are all equal we just have different talents
and jobs to do. I must however add that Jonty Rhodes, Brian Habana, Bjorn Borg,
Chris Everitt & Nasdia Kominensk have however impressed me by their
humility and commitment.

How do you keep fit?

Little exercise since I broke my
knee, but I do cycle now and again.

What do you do to relax?

Relaxation is not a common word in
my dictionary but reading, building models, camping & hiking are my
favorite past times.

What goals did you set for yourself this year and how has 2008 been treating
you?

To start studying again; to get a
great sponsorship; to get people to notice Netball more. So far 2008 has been
hectic and full. There is still a lot to do, but I believe I will get there.

What five words best describe you?

Workaholic; reliable; committed;
honest; dynamic

gsport strives to celebrate femininity. What role does femininity play
in your life?

Femininity is not being a doormat,
it is taking your place in the world and being someone. We are living in times
when women as well as men can be a force to be reckoned with, without
compromising who you are. It means allowing the “woman” to be seen as
someone important as well. It is style and dignity. I am proud to be a woman
and all I expect is that we get our fair share of the world.

What inspires you?

My inspiration generally comes from
my faith in God, from the young people whom I serve and the satisfaction of a
sea of little faces when they are at a Tournament.

Who are your role models?

I don’t have role models because we
are who we are. People however that have taught me lessons are my life are my
parents, close friends and colleagues.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Whatever you do, do it to the best
of your ability in such a way that you will be able to live in peace.

What do you hope to be doing in 2010?

Touring in Europe
and watching Football.

What is your greatest ambition?

To be the person God created me to
be.