Juzelri Garbers is back on the court doing what she likes most, which is to play netball and she plans to make the most of this second chance in life.

Her netball career so nearly came to an end last year during the Varsity semi-final. She went up into the air to contest for a ball. Things suddenly got real ugly. She hit the deck clutching her knee. It was immediately clear that something serious was wrong as Garbers could not straighten her leg. 

It was established that she had torn her ACL and MCL ligaments, as well as her knee’s meniscus and her hamstring. There were countless smaller ligament tears also. The doctor’s initial prognosis was not good. It was feared that she might never get to play netball. But that was never an option for Garbers.

In May she got the all clear to start training again, and next week she will be playing for Tuks at the USSA Tournament in Bloemfontein. If nothing unforeseen happens, she will also be in action at the Varsity Tournament.

It might sound strange, but Garbers sees her injury sort of as a blessing in disguise because it made her appreciate what she has in life more and made her hungrier to succeed in whatever she does. 

“I got so many people to thank, most importantly is my family and friend’s support throughout, Dr Pelser for doing such a sterling job operating on my knee, everybody who worked with me through my rehabilitation especially at Tuks/HPC, Waldo van Heerden (biokineticist), Jenny van Dyk (Tuks head coach) and Erin Burger (teammate and coach).” 

Garbers who plays goalkeeper or goal defence is realistic about the work she has to put in to establish herself again as a top player.

“My knee seems to be okay. There are times that I am still in pain, but I can live with it. My biggest problem, for now, is that I am rusty and there is a bit of self-doubt especially when I got to go up in the air to contest for the ball. I am still a bit hesitant. The most important thing to remember is to remain patient. I am only 20, and I plan to be at Tuks for entirely a few more years, so there is no need to push myself unnecessary and risk injuring myself again.

“During the USSA Tournament I probably only get to play one quarter in a game, but the plan is to give a 100% every time a take to the court. I got no immediate goals. The only thing that matters is that I should keep on improving as a player. I would be happy if by the end of the season I get to be as good as I was last year. There will never be a time when I will be able to say that is it I have become the best I can be.”

Garbers is confident that Tuks will qualify in the USSA and Varsity-finals. Her confidence sprouts from the way Van Dyk goes about things.

“Jenny is the ultimate coach. She puts a lot of emphasis on the individual getting to understand us and listening to us, and I am not just talking about the players on the first team. Developing players is a real passion for her. That is why 26 Tuks players were involved in the Brutal Fruit Series."