She Speaks Sport

Giovanna Barbosa has built a global creative career, challenging the waves of beauty and femininity but it all started at a shoot for her football club Coventry City. From playing at U.J to an international scholarship to play for a division 1 college in America to becoming a professional footballer for Coventry City, and winning a championship, Giovanna shines as a light of determination and power. In this episode, she shares how a full-ride Division 1 scholarship to Texas A&M, along with Nike sponsored goods, set her on a path few South Africans have walked—studying neuroscience while playing elite college football in the U.S. Before that, she had just chased the ball. From kicking it around with the boys at Rovers, to making every team she could in South Africa, determination, hard work and grit opened incredible doors and we go in to the depth of her journey and her story from U.J to Texas and then to the U.K. A few paths diverged and converged and a contract with Aston Villa, Birmingham City, as well as Coventry City landed on the table, how did she choose and what did this mean for her journey in football? Giovanna discusses the change in the women’s sport industry from when she started until today, and she digs into her experiences and what she is witnessing within the game. We go into this and truth bomb about the DNA of the women’s game, the heartbeat of engagement, and what she witnessed when they brought the kids on to the field when playing for Coventry. Harder work, missing socks, no shirts, and the new kit next week, it’s all for the fans! But this story takes a turn. A photo shoot at Coventry City FC shifted her entire trajectory. From the pitch to global campaigns. From shin guards to stilettos The post Giovanna Barbosa – More Than a Game first appeared on She Speaks Sport.

With the Women’s Cricket World Cup just around the corner, today’s guest is someone whose story is still being written but already making an impact. Miane Smit is just 20 years old, but in the last year, she’s earned her international debut, been part of a World Cup squad as a reserve, and shared the field with the very players she refers to as her heroes. When Sune Luus presented Miane with her first T20 international cap for the Proteas earlier this year, it was a moment of joy and humour. If you asked all – rounder Miane Smit if she saw herself in this position just two years ago, she would not have believed you. However, the talented batter and off spinner has played in two ODI’s and three T20I’s for the Proteas, was the travelling reserve for the T20 world cup and for this year’s 50 over Cricket World Cup. In our conversation, we talk about what it really feels like to step into the green and gold, the pressure and pride of wearing the Proteas badge, and what she's hoping to bring to South Africa’s campaign in the subcontinent. Miane talks about the standard the players set and how they continue to motivate her, challenge her in the best way possible, and the advice some of the players have given her for navigating cricket on and off the field. We also get into Miane's ambitions, including a dream century for her country and the power of being surrounded by a team that pushes you to be better, every single day. We talk spin attack and its role in the World Cup, as well as the team that poses the most threat in the group stages. What’s it like to go from watching your heroes on TV… to sharing a locker room with them? It's all in this episode. The post Miane Smit – Capped and Ready for the Cricket World Cup first appeared on She Speaks Sport.

Professional cyclist Noa Jansen has always held a passion to cycle at the highest level, but that love was clouded by an eating disorder that slowly stole her joy, her strength, and her sense of self. What began as rules in her head, “rewards” with food, and the praise of being thinner as an athlete, soon spiraled into a reality where she was unrecognisable to those who knew her best. Eventually, her body gave out, leaving her unable to race, and forcing her to face a truth which led to her hospitalisation and her first steps to recovery. On this episode, Noa speaks with raw honesty about what it meant to lose not just her physical health, but the dream she had built her life around, and the courage it took to fight her way back. Her recovery was not only about eating again, but confronting the mental battles behind her disorder, surrendering to the painful process of healing, and slowly rediscovering the joy she once felt as a young girl on her bike. Along the way, she was supported by incredible mentors like Natascha Knaven founder of NXTG and Leontien van Moorsel, who helped create a safe space for her to rebuild herself and her dreams. Today, Noa Jansen rides fiercely for the Liv Alula Jayco women’s team, carrying with her the scars of struggle and the strength of survival. In our conversation, we also speak about the ongoing pressure from the media around professional cyclists and the constant commentary on weight, something we saw at the Tour de France Femmes this year. How does Noa feel about stepping on the scale now? And what are her goals as she rides for the Liv Alula Jayco team? Noa is so incredibly open and brave about her story and her voice needs to be heard. This is a story of vulnerability, courage, and the relentless pursuit of a dream that refused to die. The post Noa Jansen Rides to Wholeness – Life after the Struggle first appeared on She Speaks Sport.

An exciting, fun She Speaks Sport exclusive straight from the Women's Rugby World Cup in England! Joining me is our number 10, Libbie Janse van Rensburg who scored two sensational tries in the dominant match last Sunday against Brazil in Northampton. On the podcast, we chat about the Brazil women's team who made history in becoming the first rugby team to represent their nation in a rugby World Cup. Although the match belonged to the Springboks with a resounding 66 - 6 defeat against the South Americans, there is much respect for Brazil and for their place in this tournament. We chat about the feeling in the camp, the unity, energy and passion and of course, the impact of this Rugby World Cup and how the fans are supporting the Women Boks in a manner that is moving and monumental. The player - fan connection and interaction is at the heart of women's sport and Libbie talks about the emotional connection female athletes have with those who support the games. I also ask her about that now iconic "tiger" celebration after her second try, and she shares the heartfelt meaning behind this celebration. Spoiler alert - Zambezi fest, Tayla and a promise to young fans. How does she feel about the upcoming Italy game, where the Springbok women have faced close losses to the fired up, hungry to get their first win, Italian side? And a few more insights and takeaways from our conversation on the sidelines at the women's rugby World Cup. This is just for you! Tune in, host some watch parties and keep supporting the team. The post Libbie JVR – Life from the Women’s Rugby World Cup first appeared on She Speaks Sport.

The 2025 U23 world rowing championships just wrapped up in Poland. The top young talent in the world of rowing showed up with thrilling races and surprising finishes, with the South African rowers leaving their mark on the world champs. Chloe Cresswell led the charge in the lightweight women’s single sculls, and her technical precision and fight, meant she walked away with a silver medal. We celebrate the win together on the podcast, as Chloe joins me to talk about the race, the German fighting in the last row and the fire she needed to carry to get across the line. Exhausted, she didn’t know she had won the silver until she looked up at the board. Reflecting on her journey into rowing, she shares with us her objectives at the world champs and how winning wasn’t the key goal. As rowing continues to grow in popularity with the public, we share about the incredible community spirit in the sport, and the public interest that is growing prolifically. I also quiz Chloe on the most googled questions around the sport of rowing, including the inquisitive question of why is rowing so posh? Her knowledge of the sport and its history is impressive as she answers the worlds questions about the sport. What is in store for Chloe Cresswell and her future in the sport? How does she feel after her silver medal win? Join us for this celebratory conversation. The post “Why Rowing Isn’t Just for the Posh” — Chloe Cresswell first appeared on She Speaks Sport.