If there was a love-affair that ever made this much sense, it is that of Sasha-Lee Petersen and netball.
Starting the sport at the age of 6, Petersen says netball changed her life and has taught her discipline, resilience and hard work. “Netball has also given me so many opportunities. I’ve had my lowest and highest moments while playing the sport and it has always helped me come back stronger and better than before.”
In a very short space of time and at a very young age, Petersen has coached at Bloemhof Girls High School and also played for Maties and the Western Cape Tornados. She’s added another facet to her dedication to netball, commentating. She is commentator for the SuperSport School tournaments, celebrating a year as a commentator just recently.
While she acknowledges that massive progress has been made in growing netball in the country, Petersen believes more can still be done to expose and support the more under privileged.
gsport’s Lonwabo Nkohla caught up with Petersen as she chats about her roles in the game and shares pearls of wisdom for the next generation.
Observing from the side-lines, it seems like you and Netball are a match made in Netball court heaven. Take us through when you got into the game and how it all started?
My love for netball started at the age of 6, being one of the tallest girls in my class, they automatically said I should play netball. I started out as a shooter but ended up being a defender from age 11 and I haven’t stopped playing since then. My aspirations were always to make a provincial side, however, I fell short in U/12 year but worked very hard and ended up getting my colours the following year.
You’ve worn many hats in the sport; player, coach and now commentator, which do you find is most fun? (I know I’m asking you to choose a favourite child)
Since I’ve only recently started commentating, I would say being a player.
As former president Nelson Mandela famously said that sport has the power to change the world, it also power to change a person’s life – What kind of impact has Netball had in your life?
Sport has changed my life in so many ways, it taught me discipline, resilience, hard work, it helped me grow in so many facets. Netball has also given me so many opportunities. I’ve had my lowest and highest moments while playing the sport and it has always helped me come back stronger and better than before.
You also coach Bloemhof Girls High School, after a tough season or match, how do you motivate the girls to keep going despite inevitable setbacks?
I am a coach that believes in reflection after a loss, we will have a video session and we will discuss our improvements and positives going forward.
As a player, can you single out one highlight playing for the Tornados in the TNL?
I would definitely say, those tight games where we would be behind and suddenly our team would elevate and end up taking the win.
Most recently you celebrated a year anniversary commentating for SuperSport Schools tournaments: How did your commentary journey start?
It actually started last year when the SuperSport schools app had just launched, we were at a netball tournament and I made my debut there.
What are you Top 3 biggest lessons garnered so far in your commentary journey?
To speak slowly, to try and stay neutral and to make it interesting for those watching.
Netball has seen rapid growth in SA, how would you describe where we are as a country in trying to grow the game?
Seeing that we are hosting the 2023 World Cup, it’s definitely growing. More individuals are playing the sport too. There are more tournaments, which means we get to see young talent coming through the ranks. Players are on a contract basis so this means that they fall into a more professional, resulting in those players having more resources and train more together, which ultimately aids in their performance on the international stage.
What improvements still need to be made to ensure that as many girls are exposed to the sport?
I think more resources for those girls who don’t have or cannot afford it and giving them equal opportunities to participate in tournaments so that their skill level can improve.
We are deep into women’s month in SA, noting your accomplishments, what pearls of wisdom can you share for women who are trying to find their place and cement their space in their respective careers, like you have with Netball.
The world of sport is never easy, but who wants easy? You have to work hard for what you want, put in extras, be committed, and hold yourself accountable. You might face obstacles along your journey, but you have to keep going, no matter what. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t!
This interview is published in partnership with SuperSport. SuperSport are proud sponsors of the SuperSport Woman in TV and SuperSport School Sport Star of the Year awards categories at the 2022 Momentum gsport Awards!
Sasha-Lee Petersen: “We Get to See Young Talent Coming Through the Ranks”
If there was a love-affair that ever made this much sense, it is that of Sasha-Lee Petersen and netball.
Starting the sport at the age of 6, Petersen says netball changed her life and has taught her discipline, resilience and hard work. “Netball has also given me so many opportunities. I’ve had my lowest and highest moments while playing the sport and it has always helped me come back stronger and better than before.”
In a very short space of time and at a very young age, Petersen has coached at Bloemhof Girls High School and also played for Maties and the Western Cape Tornados. She’s added another facet to her dedication to netball, commentating. She is commentator for the SuperSport School tournaments, celebrating a year as a commentator just recently.
While she acknowledges that massive progress has been made in growing netball in the country, Petersen believes more can still be done to expose and support the more under privileged.
gsport’s Lonwabo Nkohla caught up with Petersen as she chats about her roles in the game and shares pearls of wisdom for the next generation.
Observing from the side-lines, it seems like you and Netball are a match made in Netball court heaven. Take us through when you got into the game and how it all started?
My love for netball started at the age of 6, being one of the tallest girls in my class, they automatically said I should play netball. I started out as a shooter but ended up being a defender from age 11 and I haven’t stopped playing since then. My aspirations were always to make a provincial side, however, I fell short in U/12 year but worked very hard and ended up getting my colours the following year.
You’ve worn many hats in the sport; player, coach and now commentator, which do you find is most fun? (I know I’m asking you to choose a favourite child)
Since I’ve only recently started commentating, I would say being a player.
As former president Nelson Mandela famously said that sport has the power to change the world, it also power to change a person’s life – What kind of impact has Netball had in your life?
Sport has changed my life in so many ways, it taught me discipline, resilience, hard work, it helped me grow in so many facets. Netball has also given me so many opportunities. I’ve had my lowest and highest moments while playing the sport and it has always helped me come back stronger and better than before.
You also coach Bloemhof Girls High School, after a tough season or match, how do you motivate the girls to keep going despite inevitable setbacks?
I am a coach that believes in reflection after a loss, we will have a video session and we will discuss our improvements and positives going forward.
As a player, can you single out one highlight playing for the Tornados in the TNL?
I would definitely say, those tight games where we would be behind and suddenly our team would elevate and end up taking the win.
Most recently you celebrated a year anniversary commentating for SuperSport Schools tournaments: How did your commentary journey start?
It actually started last year when the SuperSport schools app had just launched, we were at a netball tournament and I made my debut there.
What are you Top 3 biggest lessons garnered so far in your commentary journey?
To speak slowly, to try and stay neutral and to make it interesting for those watching.
Netball has seen rapid growth in SA, how would you describe where we are as a country in trying to grow the game?
Seeing that we are hosting the 2023 World Cup, it’s definitely growing. More individuals are playing the sport too. There are more tournaments, which means we get to see young talent coming through the ranks. Players are on a contract basis so this means that they fall into a more professional, resulting in those players having more resources and train more together, which ultimately aids in their performance on the international stage.
What improvements still need to be made to ensure that as many girls are exposed to the sport?
I think more resources for those girls who don’t have or cannot afford it and giving them equal opportunities to participate in tournaments so that their skill level can improve.
We are deep into women’s month in SA, noting your accomplishments, what pearls of wisdom can you share for women who are trying to find their place and cement their space in their respective careers, like you have with Netball.
The world of sport is never easy, but who wants easy? You have to work hard for what you want, put in extras, be committed, and hold yourself accountable. You might face obstacles along your journey, but you have to keep going, no matter what. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t!
This interview is published in partnership with SuperSport. SuperSport are proud sponsors of the SuperSport Woman in TV and SuperSport School Sport Star of the Year awards categories at the 2022 Momentum gsport Awards!
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