In the latest of our “Getting to Know” series of SASCA coaches, we catch up with netball’s Nadia Jacobus-Julies, who celebrates her birthday on 20 October.
Who are your role models in the sport?
Phumza Maweni – I’ve met her, in Mossel Bay – Peace Proscovia and Mwai Kumwenda. Hopefully I’ll get to meet her at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town
What is your most memorable personal sporting moment?
As coach of Eden Under-19 Team 2019, when we won the gold medal at the National Under-19 Netball Championship 2019 in the B-Division. It was an extremely proud and humbling moment.
What is your most memorable other sporting moment that doesn’t involve you?
The Springboks winning the three Rugby Cups yes, but the announcement that South Africa will host the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town is by far the BEST (#PutYourHandsUp2023)
In terms of your travels, what has been your favourite city and why?
My favourite city so far is Durban. I just fell in love with this beautiful part of our country when I visited her in 2017 while attending Spar National Championship
Where in South Africa do you live?
I stay in Herbertsdale (it’s a small rural farming town just outside Mossel Bay).
What is your favourite app on your phone?
My favourite app on my phone is between Whatsapp and Facebook
What is your favourite TV show?
I’m a real series fan and I follow a lot but here are a few (laughs). Grey Anatomy, Bull, All Rise, For the People, Chicago Fire / Med / PD, NCIS, Madam Secretary, etc. (They are programmes that inspire and educate me)
What else do you do outside of sports coaching, ie, what’s your “day job”?
I am a Fire Fighter by profession
Is there anything that you’ve done in lockdown that you will continue doing permanently from now on?
As an essential / frontline worker I did not have the opportunity to work from home, but what I appreciate most about lockdown is the valuable family time (we even got back to house church and communion) – the reset button on that was refreshing
Finish the sentence. My sport is the best because …
My sport is the best because I’m passionate about it, keeps me fit and enables me to give hope and help to less privileged children
