Second home on the range for Lightning newcomer Shadine

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

- writes James Reid, of Sportsbeat.

The South African has settled nicely into life in Loughborough, having made the switch to the back-to-back champions in the summer following three seasons at Manchester Thunder.

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.”