Danielle van Zyl believes modelling has made her a better netball player.
Van Zyl was part of the Tuks team that won Varsity Netball in 2019 and her heroics in that tournament saw her selected for the South Africa U21 team.
With no netball being played in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she will help Tuks defend their title at the 2021 tournament, which will take place in a bio-bubble at Stellenbosch University’s Coetzenburg Indoor Centre from 21-30 August.
Van Zyl’s talents are not restricted to making crucial intercepts and scoring goals. She is a final-year BA Psychology student and aims to become a neuropsychologist.
For her, it’s all about making a difference in people’s lives, which is why she works as a volunteer at Lifeline in Pretoria.
Caring for others is one of the reasons why Van Zyl went into modelling. It did not take long for her to be noticed.
Last year, Van Zyl placed second in the ninth Supermodel International competition, which took place in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Earlier this year, she won a Miss Photogenic competition and she is also a Miss Grand South Africa finalist.
‘Since taking up modelling, I have got to better understand who I am as a person,’ says Van Zyl. ‘It’s as if I know what my strengths and weaknesses are. As a result, I also have greater confidence in my own abilities.
‘Public speaking is one of the things I have mastered. There is something to be said for inspiring people through one’s words and ideas.
‘Beauty pageants are certainly no longer just about having a beautiful face and body,’ she adds. ‘Instead, you are expected to make a difference in your community. That is why I do what I do.
‘If I win the Miss Grand SA pageant on Saturday, I will get to compete in the international competition. This year’s campaign is to stop war and violence. Just think how much better the world would be if we have peace.
‘I have recently listened to an inspiring talk in which the theme of “fake it until you make it” was adjusted to “fake it until you become it”. What I took from it is that nothing is impossible if you trust in your abilities.’
Van Zyl’s modelling has benefitted her as a netballer too.
‘Actually everything – my studies, netball and modelling – are interlinked,’ she explains. ‘It does not matter how many hours you have put into preparing for an exam or competition, there will always be that sense of nervousness. The challenge is to channel the anxiety into positive energy.’
Van Zyl can’t wait for the Varsity Netball tournament to start.
‘We have got a winning culture at Tuks,’ she says. ‘Every player is prepared to put their body on the line to ensure victory, so in those crunch moments, it is reassuring to know someone will step up. To us, no game is ever lost or won until the final second.’
Tuks’ first game of 2021 Varsity Netball is against NWU at 18:30 on 21 August (live on SuperSport).
– Article courtesy TuksSport
Tuks photos: Reg Caldecott
