How golf helps Shadine van der Merwe thrive on and off the court

When Shadine van der Merwe isn’t locking down the defensive end for Loughborough Lightning, you might well find her on the driving range. 

The South African has settled nicely into life in Loughborough, having helped the club reach their third straight Grand Final in 2025, where they narrowly missed out on another NSL title win to London Pulse.  

Central to that has been ensuring the right balance between time training with life off the court, and for Van der Merwe that means switching off to focus on her golf game. 

“I’m not a pro at all but it is nice to switch your mind off, it is very therapeutic for me to hit a few balls and switch off from netball and other life stuff,” she revealed. 

“My dad used to play when he was younger, so we’d always be at the driving range. I have always loved sport, so I am always up for playing anything, but golf was something that came more as an adult. 

“You either have a good drive, your short game is good, or your putt is good – you can’t have it all. I have never had a game where I haven’t been looking for a lost ball! 

“It is just a little bit of me time, and I am a strong believer in just switching off from the world around you and doing what makes you happy.” 

Van der Merwe picked up four Player of the Match awards during the regular season of NSL 2025, including in game one against her former side Manchester Thunder. With dominant performances in the defending circle, she built strong relationships with Alice Harvey and the now retired Jodie Gibson, and she’ll be aiming to do the same with new signing Celena Appleby-Prince in 2026.  

She added: “With a defensive unit, sometimes it takes a bit more time to settle in and build connections but from the get-go we really settled in quite well. There is always room for improvement, which is exciting as well.” 

Van der Merwe is one of seven South Africans taking to the NSL court in 2026 with Sanmarie Visser, Kamogelo Maseko, and Jamie van Wyk the new faces joining van der Merwe, Rolene Streutker, Khanyisa Chawane and Nicola Smith in the NSL. She hopes the growing number of South Africans in the League will help strengthen the SPAR Proteas internationally. 

“Our current coach Jenny van Dyk is encouraging us to go out there and spread our wings to get experience,” she said. 

“It is good for us to get this exposure. It is a League heading towards professionalism, and for us to play abroad and play week in, week out and get that exposure to this level of netball. We gain as players and can take that back to South Africa.” 

Shadine van der Merwe will back in NSL action at the 2026 Netball Super Cup in Sheffield on 21 February. Secure your tickets here.