A Grade 7 student from Reddford House Northcliff is one step closer to fulfilling a dream after being selected for the South African U14 Indoor Netball Squad following an impressive performance at the IPT tournament.
Ziya Visser was selected from a large field of players, earning national recognition for her performances on court and beginning a journey that could ultimately lead to representing South Africa at the SAINF World Cup in Australia in 2027.
The young netball player says the moment she learned of her selection was one she will never forget. “I felt very excited, proud and grateful. It was such a special moment for me because it showed that all the hard work, training and dedication had paid off.”
Ziya, who primarily plays wing attack and can also step into goal attack when needed, says she enjoys the pace and creativity of the game. “I enjoy it because of the fast pace. I can be creative on court, defend and help control the game.”
While she describes herself as a team player, one of her favourite aspects of the sport is creating opportunities for others. “My favourite play is positioning myself to pass the ball directly to the shooter for the goal.”
The road ahead remains demanding. While she has been selected for the squad, training and boot camps begin in August, with further selection processes still to determine who will travel to Australia.
For the past year, Ziya has been training under Sicelo Gumede, Proteas Men’s Captain for 2026, while continuing to focus on improving her speed and fitness. She credits much of her progress to the support around her. “My family, coach and teammates have all played a huge role in supporting and encouraging me. Their belief in me has helped me grow both on and off the court.”
Balancing schoolwork with competitive sport requires careful planning, something Ziya has already learned at a young age. “I train after 6pm in the evenings so I get a good amount of studying done before training,” she says. “The school has been very supportive in allowing me the time off and assisting me in catching up on work when tournaments conflict with school time.”
Caryn Brinkley, Head of Campus at Reddford House Northcliff, says Ziya’s achievement had brought great pride to the school community. “To represent your country at such a young age is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the hard work, dedication and talent she has consistently shown. Her achievement not only celebrates her individual success, but also inspires fellow students to pursue their goals with passion and commitment.” For Ziya, however, the focus remains on the next challenge and an even bigger goal. “I’m looking forward to playing at the highest level of competition in a game that I love,” she said. “Meeting players from around the world and representing South Africa is the dream.”
