SWU alumna playing professional basketball in Britain
Noëlle van Zadelhoff says playing in the WBBL is challenging and "a very rewarding experience."
The Nottingham Wildcats signed Southern Wesleyan University alumna Noëlle van Zadelhoff to their team recently.
The 6 foot 3 van Zadelhoff, who after graduation from Southern Wesleyan played professional basketball in her native Netherlands, is enthusiastic about joining the Wildcats, one of a dozen teams from across England and Wales in the fledgling Women’s British Basketball League (WBBL), considered the top level for women’s basketball in Great Britain. The WBBL continues to grow stronger since its establishment in 2014, attracting more talented players from across the world every year.
“I feel very privileged to be able to play in this league. I play the center, also known as the five, for the Nottingham Wildcats. Competing in the WBBL is challenging and a very rewarding experience,” she said.
While at Southern Wesleyan, van Zadelhoff earned NCCAA South Region honors. She was also a 2015-2016 NCCAA South Region Team Member.
“I have learned a lot from being a student-athlete in college. I had to, among other things, overcome obstacles and perform under stress and pressure. An athlete sacrifices, achieves goals, and never gives up. Skills and experiences that have helped me come this far,” said van Zadelhoff, who is thankful for the mentorship of her coaches and professors, as well as friendships with her classmates.
“I have a lot of respect for Noelle and what she accomplished during her time at Southern Wesleyan,” said John Davis, head women’s basketball coach at Southern Wesleyan. “She grew spiritually, academically and as a student-athlete, which is clear to see by her body of work. She is a highly motivated individual and it is great to see her being successful still today. Donn Williams, our former assistant coach, had a strong impact on Noelle during her time with us, among many others. To come to a new country and to go through the ups and downs of college life and to come out on top like she did, is a great testament to her growth. I am really proud of Noelle for that. She did not settle and truly stretched herself from the inside-out.”
Currently studying in a master’s program for broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University on a sport scholarship, van Zadelhoff is enjoying the English life.
“My campus is in the city center, so I walk straight from campus into the shops and restaurants,” van Zadelhoff said.
Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, go online to swu.edu.
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