My Story

Annelise Van Rooye
Head S&C Coach and Founder of Pre-Season Pro

I used to believe I just wasn’t good enough.

I watched my mum and my sister play state league while I spent most of my time warming the bench in juniors—frustrated, invisible, and silently spiralling. My skills were average, my confidence was shot, and my internal voice was louder than any coach: "See that pass? That’s why you’re not picked."

The worst part? I didn’t even know how to ask for help…
Let alone what kind of help I actually needed.

So I pretended I didn’t care.

Because if I never really tried, I couldn’t really fail.

And that felt safer than proving I didn’t have what it took.

But under the surface?
I was angry.
Embarrassed.
And tired of watching other people rise while I sat back convincing myself why I couldn’t.

For years I bounced between “trying harder” and “checking out.” Everything felt heavy. Like I was meant for more—but stuck in a body and mindset that couldn’t keep up.

After some injuries in 2013 I got really into the fitness side of things and started improving my game. I got qualified as a PT and opened a gym in 2017 and fell even more in love with exercise and netball. I was playing A grade and State League but I still had a few niggles and still wasn’t where I wanted to be.

Then COVID hit. Netball stopped. Life slowed down.
And for the first time, I had no excuses.

I wasn’t overcommitted.
I wasn’t broke.
I had full access to a gym as personal trainer.
I wasn’t trapped in a toxic routine.

And deep down, I knew:
It’s now or never.

So I hired an elite strength and conditioning coach.
I threw myself into a training plan—not for a few weeks, but for 8 months.
I stopped guessing. I stopped blaming. And I started building.

It was scary. And vulnerable.
Because when you go all in, you can’t hide anymore.

But brick by brick, lift by lift, I got stronger.
Not just physically—but mentally, emotionally, and on the court.

Suddenly I wasn’t just playing again—I was dominating.
The same girl who used to avoid the gym and make excuses?
Now had a strong, injury-free body.
A killer vertical.
And more confidence in her game than ever before.

That experience changed me forever.

Because I finally realised: The reason I was stuck wasn’t a lack of talent. It was a lack of structure.

No one had ever shown me how to train like an athlete.
No one told me strength and conditioning was the key to better netball.
And definitely no one had ever created a system that made it simple, clear, and accessible for everyday players—not just elites.

So I built it.

And now?

Everything we create—from Ankle Armour to Pre-Season Pro to our full club programs and training app—is designed to be the exact thing I wish I had back then.

This isn’t about drills.
It’s about building netballers who are bulletproof.
Stronger. Smarter. Game-day ready.
And finally in control of their performance.

Because I know how it feels to second-guess every move.
I know the shame of being benched and the sting of not getting picked.
And I know the quiet desperation of wanting more, but not knowing how to get there.

I’ve been there.

And now, Pre-Season Pro exists to make sure you never have to stay there.