Shooting for Donovan

Example isn’t another way to teach, it is the only way to teach. Albert Einstein. Many people over the last few weeks have called me inspirational and a role model. I am exceptionally proud and flattered that that is how my story has been viewed. Although I am now a cancer fighting netballer, first and foremost I am a teacher. Ever since I can remember I wanted to be a teacher, to use the old cliché, for me, it was definitely a calling. 19 years later (how did that happen!) I still feel the same way. I am now Head of Netball at Dubai College and to be honest, that is partially what made me trial for the UAE national team. Thinking about Einstein’s quote, how could I coach and teach these young talented netballers, encouraging them to push themselves further each day, if I wasn’t prepared to lead by example. I’ve been thinking a lot about who has been my inspiration, who my role models are, who are the people who shaped me into the character, and player, I am today. Although there...

What a  week it's been! 16th May 2018 Attending the Netball Europe Open Championships 2018 in Gibraltar had been my goal ever since my cancer journey began at the end of 2017. Having trialled and been selected for the UAE national team before my diagnosis getting to the competition became my focus. I fought the side effects of chemotherapy weekly, determined that nothing would stop me getting on that court. It has certainly not been easy, the side effects are draining and cumulative and as I write this I am back in the hospital bed, being pumped with my fourteenth dose of chemotherapy drugs in almost as many weeks. As amazing as the games were (and I loved every moment) what is even more incredible is the global support I am now receiving. For the last five months I have been so determined to ensure that cancer does not define me that there are many friends and even distant family members that I hadn’t told of my situation. In fact, I didn’t tell most people until my hair s...