Sanmarie Visser has caught the attention of decision makers in netball after making her international debut in January, when the goal keeper stepped out in Spar Proteas colours during the South Africa side’s away tour against Jamaica, before making history with the South African team in England a few weeks later.
Visser shared with gsport what it felt like to have a long-time dream realised, when she stepped on the court donning the national team dress last month.
“It was an incredible and overwhelming experience. Making my debut for the Proteas was such an honour, and I felt incredibly proud to represent my country.”
Spar Proteas Goal Keeper, Sanmarie Visser
“The support from the team, the coaches, and the fans was amazing, and it was a moment I will always cherish,” recalls Visser. “It reinforced how much I love this sport, and how much it means to be part of the national team.”
The North West University (NWU) alumna followed up her debut series in Jamaica with an excellent performance in the recent Vitality Netball Nations Cup in the UK, where she was awarded the Player of the Match award in the Proteas’ fixture against England.
Jenny van Dyk’s team sealed a narrow 61-59 win that Visser played an instrumental role. The player says she wants to use her recent international experience t as a springboard to improve herself in various ways.
“I want to build on that experience by continuing to push myself physically and mentally. Every game is an opportunity to grow, and I’m focused on learning from every match, improving my skills, and adapting to the international level of competition. I’m excited to keep working hard to cement my place in the team and contribute in every way I can.”
Visser has been a product of Varsity Netball, she received a bursary from NWU but it wasn’t for netball, but rather for her excellence in discus. She then decided to pursue her netball dream, and it wasn’t long before she became known for her netball prowess, and this led her to being crowned the 2023 Varsity Netball Player of the Tournament.
Visser has big dreams for her netball career, and is hoping she can be remembered for her contribution to the game in years to come.
“My greatest ambition is to represent South Africa at the highest level, to compete at major international tournaments like the World Cup and Commonwealth Games, and to win gold for my country. I want to leave a legacy in the sport, inspire young players, and continue to elevate netball for the next generation.”
Meanwhile, Visser also spoke about how netball is growing in leaps and bounds, saying that the development of the sport has been phenomenal in all areas of the game.
“I’m beyond pleased with how netball has evolved, especially in South Africa. The growth in the sport has been phenomenal – from better coaching, and improved infrastructure, to more recognition of women in sport. I’ve seen the standard of play rise, and it’s inspiring to see so many young players coming through, making it an exciting time for the game.”
Since the success of the Netball World Cup in 2023 there has been talk of a local professional netball league. There has yet to be any confirmation as to when this is set to become a reality. Visser says being able to play in the home league is what she hopes comes to fruition.
“Being part of a professional netball league would be a dream come true! Unfortunately at the moment that is all it is. I only made my international debut recently, and I’m hoping that in the future I will get the opportunity to play in a professional netball league.
“That is my goal going forward this year: To work extremely hard and to use the experience I get internationally to my advantage.”
Having started the year in the best way possible Visser is hoping she can become a familiar face in the national team setup in 2025. This goes for all the teams she will be representing throughout the year.
“I want to solidify my role in the national team and continue to grow as a player. I aim to improve my game even more, especially in terms of leadership and consistency. I also hope to contribute to all teams I am representing this year, achieving more success and playing a key role in our growth as a team.”
Visser is a player who has built her career from the bottom, and knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a success. She says that young girls and women looking to make netball into a career must never give up.
“My advice would be to stay focused, work hard, and never give up on your dreams. The journey is long, and there will be challenges, but if you stay dedicated and push through those tough moments, you’ll see the results. Surround yourself with positive influences, keep learning, and always strive to be better while believing in yourself. Your hard work will pay off.”
This athlete spends a fair amount of time on the netball court, but says she makes up for that spending valuable time with loved ones, allowing herself to re-energise for when she is needed at netball.
“When I’m not on the court, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. Staying active, and pursuing other hobbies, like playing other sports for fun with friends is one of my favourites. It’s important to have a balance, and that is why I also love to watch some movies and take time to recharge at home, which helps me bring my best self to netball.”
Main Photo Caption: Sanmarie Visser has caught the attention of decision makers in netball after making her international debut in January, when the goal keeper stepped out in Spar Proteas colours during the South Africa side’s away tour against Jamaica, before making history with the South African team in England a few weeks later. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: The goal keeper stepped out in the Spar Proteas colours during the South African side away tour to Jamaica held from 18-26 January.
Photo 3 Caption: Visser was part of the team making history in England a few weeks later, with a upset win over the tournament hosts on English soil.
Photo 4 Caption: Visser shared with gsport what it felt like to have a long-time dream realised when she stepped on the court donning the national team dress.
Photo 5 Caption: On making her debut, Visser said: “The support from the team, the coaches, and the fans was amazing, and it was a moment I will always cherish!”
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