The transition to a new school year is often a period of high pressure, whether it involves advancing to the critical penultimate year of high school or making the life-altering leap to university.
For the next generation of South African sportswomen, the strategies used to dominate on the field, the court, and the board are the very same tools they use to excel in the classroom. gsport caught up with three rising stars to discuss how they are interweaving their athletic discipline with academic ambition to ensure a successful 2026.
For these athletes, success in the new year is not left to chance; it begins long before the first bell rings. Shreeya Mahadeo, a 15-year-old chess sensation and soon-to-be Grade 11 pupil at Durban Girls College, utilises her holidays to gain a competitive edge. “I have put it in my daily routine to cover the work during the school holidays that will be included in the Grade 11 syllabus,” Mahadeo explains. Her approach is methodical, including “reading setbooks and familiarising myself with the theory or concepts to be introduced in the coming year.”
This level of foresight is mirrored by 12-year-old Irene Banda, who has taken the Esports world by storm as South Africa’s top-ranked female Clash Royale player. For Banda, who holds Primary School National Colours and Senior Gauteng Provincial Colours, the start of the term is treated with the gravity of a major tournament.
“Preparing for the school year is very much the same as preparing for a championship,” says Banda. Beyond the physical act of organising stationery and bags, she emphasises the psychological aspect of readiness. “I also like to get my mind set right for the new year. This means I like to visualise what will happen in the new year, just like I try to visualise what would happen in a championship.”
Similarly, Hadiya Carrim, a badminton champion transitioning from Durban Girls College to the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), views preparation as her primary defence against the mid-term rush. “I make sure my notes, stationery, and schedules are in order so I start the year feeling prepared instead of rushed,” Carrim notes.
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For Carrim, this early legwork is essential for survival: “Being organised helps me manage school alongside badminton once things get busy.”
Managing elite-level sport alongside rigorous academics requires a strict adherence to routine. Mahadeo, who recently placed sixth overall at the Commonwealth Chess Games in Malaysia after a successful crowdfunding campaign, finds that her two worlds rarely collide because of how she structures her time. “I balance my chess and school by practising chess in the morning and then doing my homework later in the afternoon,” she says, noting that the majority of her tournaments take place on weekends or during holidays.
However, as the academic stakes get higher, the balance becomes more complex. Carrim, who represented the KZN A team at the U19 Badminton Championships, admits that the “perfect” balance is often a myth. “It’s honestly not always balanced,” she reveals. “Some weeks school comes first, other weeks badminton does.”
As she prepares to study Accounting at UKZN, Carrim reflects on the sacrifices required, such as giving up social time and learning to work through fatigue. “Badminton has taught me discipline, and that same discipline helps me stay focused in my studies,” she explains. “I plan ahead when I know I’ll be travelling and try to get work done early.”
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The aspirations of these young women for the 2026 academic year are nothing short of elite. Mahadeo is targeting the top spot in her grade for several demanding subjects. “I aim to achieve first in the grade for most of my subjects like Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics and Further Study Physics,” she says, adding that her focus also extends to her physical well-being through diet and exercise.
Banda is equally driven, aiming for A’s and a consistent 90% average per subject. Her goals for the new year also include leadership and multi-sport involvement: “Besides getting good marks, I am hoping to have the privilege of being a book monitor and to carry on in hockey and to improve my hockey skills.”
For Carrim, the focus is on a successful integration into tertiary education. “My goal for 2026 is to be settled at university and studying a degree that I genuinely enjoy and am passionate about,” she says. She plans to continue representing her institution on the court, stating her intent to “continue playing badminton for UKZN and represent the university while balancing my academics.”
As they embark on their respective journeys, these athletes offer a blueprint for other students looking to make 2026 their best year yet. Banda reminds her peers that excellence is built on the fundamentals: “Nothing beats preparation and practice… Compliance to the rules is also very important, but so is bravery and the ability to keep an open mind and to question everything.”
Mahadeo echoes this sentiment, linking future success directly to current effort. “Good results and a successful year will always come with early preparation, balance, dedication, and consistency,” she says. “Anything becomes possible when hard work and effort are made.”
In a final piece of advice, Carrim emphasises that while goals and organisation are paramount, one must not neglect themselves in the process. “Don’t procrastinate, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed. Most importantly, remember to take care of your mental and physical well-being. Success comes from consistency, balance, and believing in yourself.”
Main Photo Caption: Shreeya Mahadeo, a 15-year-old chess sensation and soon-to-be Grade 11 pupil at Durban Girls College, utilises her holidays to gain a competitive edge All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: 12-year-old Irene Banda has taken the Esports world by storm as South Africa’s top-ranked female Clash Royale player.
Photo 3 Caption: Hadiya Carrim, a badminton champion transitioning from Durban Girls College to the University of KwaZulu-Natal, views preparation as key.
