With Women's Day just a week away, I thought I'd shine the spotlight on a remarkable young woman who has made our family incredibly proud.
My niece, Lexie, has been selected to represent South Africa at the 2026 Underwater Hockey World Championships in Gebze, Turkey.
Lexie lives with scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves sideways. Depending on its severity, it can affect posture, balance and cause pain or discomfort. About a year ago, after being told that swimming would be beneficial for her back, she discovered underwater hockey... and from that moment, she was hooked.
If you've never heard of it, underwater hockey is played on the bottom of a swimming pool. Wearing a mask, snorkel and fins, two teams of six players use a short stick to push a weighted puck across the pool floor and into the opposing team's goal. It is a fast, tactical and physically demanding sport that requires fitness, teamwork, skill and the ability to hold your breath while making split-second decisions.
To watch her grow from someone looking for a way to strengthen her back into a young woman representing South Africa on the world stage has been nothing short of extraordinary.
She has shown that determination, perseverance and a willingness to embrace something new can take you further than you ever imagined.
As Women's Day approaches, I can't think of a better young woman to celebrate. Not because she wears the green and gold, but because she never let the obstacles in her path decide where her journey would end.
Lexie, we are incredibly proud of you.
Go to Turkey, enjoy every second, and know that your family will be cheering you on from home.