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Kate Christowitz is a retired Olympic rower with a passion for building equity in rowing, for women. As the chair of the athletes Commission for RowSA, Kate is also a dedicated coach who loves sharing her knowledge for rowing with young athletes. She is also the director of rowing at St. Stithians College where she maintains and develops the rowing fleet.
In this episode, Kate shares her journey from discovering rowing as a young girl at St Mary’s to becoming an Olympian, highlighting the transformative power of sport and community. We dive into the Women in Rowing initiative, a movement uniting women across South Africa to tackle key issues in the sport and celebrate their shared passion. From the first event in Joburg, to exciting plans for provincial gatherings, we discuss how this vibrant community is growing and making waves. Discover the camaraderie, resilience, and connection that define rowing, as Kate shares stories from her career and her work with young athletes, and the joy we felt at seeing Paige compete in the 2024 Olympics.
Whether you’re a seasoned rower, a coach, a supporter, or just curious about the sport, Kate Christowitz also provides all the details on how to join and become a part of this growing community for women in rowing.
The post Kate Christowitz – Building Community in Women’s Rowing first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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This year Red Bull King of the Air has created its first ever Women’s Division in this premier kitesurfing competition which always features the best athletes from around the world. We will get to witness a unique showcase of female talent and athleticism in this historic event that is sure to be a game changer for women’s big air. Joining me to talk about the upcoming competition and her journey as one of the participants is Jasmine Cho. Born in Korea, raised in the U.S and now considering Blouberg as her home base, Jasmine has been a big air kitesurfer for a number of years, with prestigious events behind her name.
On the podcast we talk about her journey from being a film director in New York City, to fully dedicating herself and her time, to the sport of kitesurfing. Having applied for King of the Air three times in the past, Jasmine Cho always believed in the need for women’s inclusion in Big Air and with this year’s competition, she talks about the meaning of this inclusion for women, and the effect this will have on other competitions. We talk about her recent crash in Brazil, and dealing with the process of the fear factor following her fall, and how she is embracing this as part of the journey. We unpack the wind factor in Cape Town and how she is acclimatising to the denser wind conditions that Cape Town offers. Among the female competitors, Jasmine lets us in on the support for one another and the unique sisterhood and friendships that have formed through competition, and how being on the big air circuit has created a unique energy among the women.
The post Jasmine Cho – Queen of the Air first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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Michaela Leonard is the current Wallaroos Captain and is one of the most experienced player sin Australian history, with 32 test caps to her name. She took over the captaincy in 2023 and has led her side to victory in the WXV2 tournament that recently wrapped up in Cape Town.
On the podcast, we discuss the WXV2 tournament and the journey leading up to it. Michaela opens up about the mindset the team had at the start, their goals of maintaining their world ranking, and ultimately aiming to win the WXV2 title. We dive into the crucial warm-up games against Ireland and Wales, and how those matches shaped the team's learnings and prepared them for the upcoming challenges in Cape Town. As captain, Michaela shares her ongoing leadership journey, highlighting the strength that comes from collaboration. She also gives a special nod to the strong leadership surrounding her, underscoring how empowering each other is key to the team's success.
In a fascinating twist, Michaela also reflects on her transition from basketball to rugby and how she went from never watching a rugby union game to now becoming a key figure in a sport she truly loves.
The post Michaela Leonard – Australia’s Passionate Rugby Captain first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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The Women's T20 Cricket World Cup may be over, but the emotions are still running high. Join me this week as I dive deep into the heart of the Proteas campaign with Mieke de Ridder, the talented wicketkeeper and right-hand batter for the Proteas. She made her international debut for the national team over a year ago against Pakistan and was part of the world cup squad that just wrapped up their campaign in Dubai.
From the historic semi-final victory against Australia to the heartbreak of the final loss against New Zealand, we unpack the moments and experiences that defined the team's journey. Mieke opens up about the profound impact of these experiences on the team and cricket fans alike, offering her personal perspective on coping with triumph and disappointment. We also get straightforward about how we both dealt with disappointment from opposite sides of the game, as a lover of the game and as a player.
Curious about the five individuals Mieke de Ridder honoured on her shirt? Want to know how she discovered her passion for wicketkeeping? And who are some of the individuals she credits with helping her grow into the confident player she is today? Tune in as we explore these questions and more in a conversation that goes beyond the scoreboard. Hit play and relive the unforgettable moments of the World Cup with us!
The post Mieke de Ridder – Beyond the World Cup first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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Few can boast a trailblazing road like triathlete and mountain biking champion, Hannele Steyn. Having achieved Springbok colours in biathlon, duathlon, triathlon, road cycling and mountain biking, she is also one of only four individuals to have completed all 20 Cape epic mountain biking events. She has also taken the win in over 15 stages, and the All-African Women’s trophy proudly bears her name. She has represented South Africa in 10 world championships, 11 triathlon world cups and 9 mountain biking world cups.
In this episode, Hannele Steyn opens up about her remarkable career and the challenges she faced.Born with a hole in her heart and having heard from her teachers that despite her love of sport she lacked the talent to achieve anything significant, Hannele shares how these obstacles fuelled her fire. Discover how this ignited her passion and resilience, and learn why she believes that selfishness can be either a virtue or a vice.
We delve into her love for teaching and mentoring women in mountain biking, the transformative impact of the #sheuntamed initiative empowering more women to take up mountain biking, and she shares her thoughts on the recent 2025 Cape Epic route launch. With wisdom, joy, and a contagious passion for life, Hannele’s story will inspire you to chase your dreams and uplift those around you. Tune in for a conversation that promises to motivate, educate, and celebrate the spirit of athleticism!
The post Hannele Steyn – Blazing a Trail first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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This week's episode of She Speaks Sport, dives deep into the heart and mind of top order Proteas batter Tazmin Brits, just as the thrilling 2024 ICC T20 Women’s Cricket World Cup kicks off in the vibrant heat of Dubai. As South Africa prepares to face the West Indies tomorrow, there’s no shortage of excitement and anticipation surrounding this tournament.
In our heartfelt conversation, Tazmin opens up about the unique challenges of competing in the U.A.E., conditions unfamiliar to all ten teams. She shares her strategies for navigating the pressures of World Cup competition, including the routines she has developed to foster her mental resilience and navigating social media during the tournament. Reflecting on 2023's historic semi-final victory over England and the subsequent clash with Australia, Tazmin reflects on the invaluable lessons learned from those historic, moving moments.
This episode also touches on a deeply personal note, Tazmin's mother, Zeldine, her unwavering supporter, is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer and won’t be in the stands this time. Tazmin Brits discusses how this impacts her mindset and how mindfulness has become a vital part of her preparation for the upcoming matches. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with one of the key Proteas players as she embarks on this pivotal World Cup journey. Don’t miss this important and enlightening conversation on She Speaks Sport.
The post Tazmin Brits – 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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Dané van Niekerk is a phenomenal cricketing all-rounder who played for South Africa, broke records and led as the women’s national captain for over 6 years. After a standout career in Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is from 2009 to 2022, Dané is back on the field with the Western Province women's team for the new 2024 - 2025 season.
In this candid conversation, Dané shares her feelings about joining the Western Province team, the invaluable support she has received from her teammates, and coaching staff. We dive deep into her natural leadership skills, and how she believes in being a listening ear for those around her, both with seasoned and emerging players. We chat about her memorable first training camp with the team where she sported Marizanne's kit, after tossing her own aside after her retirement. Dané openly shares what it means to be back, the feeling of starting afresh, the mental battles of returning back to Provincial cricket and how nervous she felt to start bowling again. She is not closing the door on returning to international cricket in the future, but knows she will be held to a higher standard. Away from cricket, I ask Dané about marriage (as we can all use some advice), and she gives us a special look at Marizanne through her own eyes. This weekend the warm up game in Oudtshoorn will kick start the season, where Dané once faced her most darkest moments. We chat through the mental strength needed for the new season, the past memories and the bittersweet feeling of being a commentator watching the sport she loves, but away from the field.
The post Dané van Niekerk – A Cricket Revival first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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In this podcast episode, I sit down with Yuli van der Molen, a Dutch cyclist whose passion for road and track cycling has been matched only by her incredible resilience. Formerly with the AG Insurance – NXTG U23 team and now with Proximus – Cyclis CT, Yuli’s career took a dramatic turn at the start of 2024 when she was diagnosed with cancer.
Yuli opens up about the heart-wrenching moment she received the diagnosis that would reshape her life and career. At just 20 years old, Yuli has faced the harsh reality of battling Hodgkin lymphoma, a journey that saw her through the darkest days of chemotherapy and a challenging period away from racing. Yuli candidly shares her experiences, from the emotional toll of her diagnosis to the raw reality of her treatment. She reveals the highs and lows of sharing her journey on social media, turning her personal struggle into a source of inspiration for many. Despite the end of her chemotherapy, Yuli discusses the ongoing challenges of recovery and the relentless setbacks she faces.
Driven by her dreams and goals, Yuli talks about the bittersweet process of returning to the bike, reflecting on the invaluable lessons she has learned through this ordeal. Her story is one of unyielding courage and determination, offering a poignant reminder of the strength required to overcome life’s toughest hurdles. Tune in to hear Yuli van Der Molen share her story of perseverance, hope, and the enduring spirit of a cyclist who refuses to give up.
The post Yuli van der Molen- Pedals & Perseverance first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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Esti Olivier is a South African sprint kayaker and recently an honoured Olympian. She is the South African national champion, the 2019 and 2023 African champion and a world cup silver medallist.
On the podcast, Esti straight talks on the journey of mental health for athletes, and how under – resourced athletes are in South Africa. Beyond the Olympic qualification Esti has always been open about her mental health journey and advocates strongly for mercy from the public. We also talk about Kgothatso Montjane who recently withdrew from the paralympics and how tough that decision is for an athlete and the understanding needed for supporting mental health. In a deeply emotional, open way we talk about the current health battle Esti’s mom is fighting with stage 4 cancer, and the meaning behind her presence in Paris with Esti when she competed. Did Esti visit Disney Land in Paris and what did she do on her day off? Why doesn’t Esti kayak on rivers? What role did her father play in her journey choosing kayaking? The conversation on support, sponsorship and finances continues as we round off our conversation, with the challenge to support women in sport, and develop young talent from the onset.
We would also like to take this opportunity to say a prayer for anyone who is currently battling cancer, or who has a family member fighting this hard fight.
This show is dedicated to every brave warrior.The post Esti Olivier- South Africa’s Champion Kayaker first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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Ken Jacobs has achieved many significant milestones in the sport and leisure industries. He was the CEO of Cricket Victoria, and event manager for the ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean in 2007. He has been a mentor, chair and collaborator with various sporting clubs and bodies, and today he is involved with Cricket without Borders, which promotes and develops the game of cricket for young girls.
On the show Ken and I kick it off with chit -chat about the cricket rivalry that existed between Australia and South Africa. Ken takes us back to the 60’s when his father was deeply involved with cricket and how he formed profound friendships with many South African cricket players. We get into the organisation Cricket without Borders which was started in 2011 by Claire Cannon, at a time when cricket opportunities were not readily available for women. The organisation takes tours for young girls to play cricket overseas, experience different cultures and give back to the communities in the countries they visit. The most recent tour to Malaysia just returned, and Ken unpacks how the players experienced the cricket, the culture and the afternoon tea with the Australian High Commissioner in the region. We discuss the resources being made available to women’s cricket in Australia, and the hurdles that still exist to further the game.
The post Ken Jacobs – Cricket without Borders first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
