Sheer determination coupled with a strong desire to perform proved the perfect combination for 31-year-old Strand resident Fadia Abels, having overcome a torn ankle ligament to bounce back into selection for the South African mixed tag rugby team set to participate in the World Cup later this year.
Speaking to DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette from the sidelines at Charles Morkel Stadium in Strand, where local tag players had gathered for the first training session ahead of the 2023 Tag World Cup in Limerick, Ireland in August, she said although she hasn’t completely recovered from the injury, she feels fit and strong, and has taken the mind-over-matter stance in her preparations.
“I’m a very disciplined person, and once I commit to something I really just give it my all. This has been a goal and I am excited to have been selected for the national team. For us, this is not just a World Cup, but it’s about making history as the first mixed team from SA to participate.”
Abels is no stranger to athleticism and grew up playing netball and soccer during her years at Strand Moslem Primary and Gordon High schools.
“I loved touch rugby, so I really started to focus all my energy and time on the sport after school. Initially I played for fun and I started a team, the Maori Kings, in 2016. Soon after, we started winning a lot of open-division tournaments.
“We decided to take it a step further and entered the pro division, which worked out well. I was also the first woman to play in the pro division of touch rugby, and I won player of the tournament in 2019, which was an achievement in itself.”
She has never felt intimidated as one of the only women playing touchies, solely due to the support from her peers and the Strand community.
“My initial plan was to get the boys off the streets, not going for the pro division; it just happened.”
Abels is also a competitive swimmer and these days competes at masters’ galas, works as a touch rugby and swimming coach, and is also a personal trainer.
So what is it that keeps her committed, motivated and focused?
“I set goals to drive me. It has a lot to do with my upbringing, as I am the youngest sibling in my family and I always wanted to be the fastest and strongest,” she said. “Even during the hard lockdown in 2020 and 2021, I was disciplined and trained at home daily. I wanted to be consistent and avoid any dip in my performance. I learnt sacrifice is necessary when one wants to maintain fitness levels.”
Abels started playing tag rugby after being invited to play in a league in Stellenbosch, and a while later was approached to play professionally.
“I initially suffered an injury in 2021 and was out for a while. Then, during training for the World Cup in Ireland, I was injured in the same place again,” she said, heaping praise on those who contributed towards her recovery.
“It was nearly career destroying and I had to have surgery and spend time doing biokinetics and physiotherapy – both did wonders to help me be up-and-running again,” she said.
“My goal was to be fit before 21 January to attend the trials, and it all worked out. I’m still recovering and in rehab mode, but I remain focused on the ultimate goal of winning a medal at the World Cup. As a team, we’ve bonded well; this is a strong group of individuals hopeful of what we can achieve together.”
Looking ahead, Abels said she’ll never give up swimming or rugby until she’s forced to.
“These two sporting codes have offered me so much in life, and I can’t see myself doing anything else in the short term,” she related. “My advice to all athletes is to set goals and strive to reach them. Compete against guys and girls if you have to, and always do your best.”
