The former Laerskool Rynfield and Hoërskool Brandwag learner has made her mark on the court this year with her crowning moment to date being her selection for a developmental South African u-19 squad.
She was one of those who stood out at a recent national tournament played at Affies in Pretoria.
In fact, Gissing was the only member of the Gauteng u-19 squad that got the nod for the u-19 national side.
Her exploits with the University of Pretoria’s (Tukkies) u-19 side (an open club) saw her chosen for a Tshwane u-19 side followed by selection for the Gauteng u-19 provincial team where she played in the wing defence (WD) position.
The former Brandwag first team captain and former deputy head girl of sport at the school dreams of some day running out for the senior Spar Proteas national netball team, but she knows that a lot more backbreaking effort and relentless commitment is needed in order to don the green and gold senior strip.
To make that senior Protea ambition a reality she would also need to get picked for a Brutal Fruit Netball Cup (a South African semi-professional netball league) team.
Gissing already has one foot in the door having been invited to play with last year’s Premier League champions, the Gauteng Jaguars’ developmental “Cubs” u-19 team.
“I would really like to play there,” she said.
“If you know netball then you’ll know that making it to the Brutal Fruit Netball Cup is a big deal.
“It is incredibly competitive and you have got to be a seriously good player to make it there.”
Having started her netball career at the age of 10 at Laerskool Rynfield the sky is the limit for Gissing in the sport, but she won’t be neglecting her studies either.
She is currently doing her teaching practicals at her alma mater as part of her distance learning course in education through North West University (Pukke).
Although she has not been out of school too long she won’t quickly forget her time leading the school’s netball side.
“It was a privilege to captain the team. We were one big family.
“Our coach Yolandi Pretorius was awesome and encouraged and motivated me to keep playing after school.”
When asked what she loves about her sport of choice, Gissing added: “I can just be myself out on the court.
“After a hard day, going to practice calms me and I can just be myself.
“My teammates also make it all worthwhile.
“We share a lot of laughs and become like family.”
On the topic of family, the netball talent is grateful for the undying support from her family, particularly her father (Riaan).
She also offered some advice for youngsters who might only be starting to play her beloved sport of netball.
“Life can be fair and life can be tough. If you really want to do something and achieve the goals you have set for yourself then you have to keep going and keep playing no matter what.”
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