For a young netball player, joining a new team has made her feel a sense of belonging.
Gabriella Soares (17) played for her school before joining a team at the Fourways Falcons Actions Sports Arena and is ready to make her debut in the upcoming interprovincial tournament (IPT) in senior action netball.
She said she was first scouted by co-owner of the arena, Samantha de Wit during a game at the arena. “She asked me ‘how old are you?’ and I immediately thought I was in trouble. She told me I wasn’t supposed to be in the team I was and that I need to be in an older age group. She dragged me out of the team I was in and put me into the older age group and developed me,” she said.
“I came from a very toxic netball environment at school where I was told I wasn’t good enough, to being made to embrace my playing style and have my confidence built up on the court.”
Gabriella plays as a shooter and is in the U23 and open teams at the Fourways Falcons.
With the IPT set to take place at the end of February, Gabriella said she was harbouring a few nerves. “I have never played in an older age group in IPTs. It’s more so because I’m a little shooter having to take on these huge men, but the confidence the arena has given me is [incredible] I feel like I can take on anyone.
“My team has come together beautifully, I just can’t wait. I’m also a little bit scared for Sixers since I haven’t played it in a very hectic environment yet, but my team can do anything.”
With the future looking very bright for the young player, Gabriella has high hopes for her netball career. “I’ve been playing netball for forever. I think netball went from something I had to do to what I wanted to do. Something went from enjoying to not enjoying when I went to school, to now absolutely loving.
“I think netball will be a side thing because I definitely want to go into the medical field as it’s a dream of mine.”
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