#21 Sidelined, Selected, Seen: Whitney Souness on Injuries, Non‑Selection & Fighting for Your Place in Women’s Sport

In this episode, we sit down with Silver Ferns midcourter Whitney Souness , our first professional netballer and first Kiwi guest. Whitney talks through her rise in elite sport, the expectations placed on her and the tough realities that come with high-performance environments. She talks about major setbacks, including a ruptured ACL and the emotional weight of non-selection, most recently missing out on the Silver Ferns squad. Key TakeawaysYour journey isn’t linear: injuries, setbacks, and non-selection don’t define you — they often redirect you.Support systems matter: family, coaches, and mentors have played a massive role in Whitney’s resilience.Non-selection is not a reflection of your worth: sometimes it’s timing, fit, or one coach’s preference.Women’s sport needs investment: pay, resources, and visibility gaps still impact performance and longevity.Balance is essential: journaling, faith, and creative outlets like DJing help keep her grounded.Timestamps 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:00:48 – Growing up around netball and first club. 00:03:39 – Netball became serious. 00:05:32 – Early belief from coaches; support network. 00:06:37 – Family backing through highs/lows. 00:08:46 – Recent non-selection from the Silver Ferns. 00:11:42 – Family reassurance and mindset shift. 00:12:26 – Selection is subjective; timing + fit. 00:14:04 – When doors close, opportunities open. 00:17:47 – ACL rupture early in career. 00:19:19 – Returning in eight months. 00:20:17 – Mental toll of rehab + identity. 00:22:09 – Reality of being a woman in pro sport. 00:27:36 – Needed change in women’s sport. 00:29:30 – Importance of funding support staff. 00:31:58 – Resilience tools: journaling + routine + wellbeing 00:35:10 – DJing as a creative outlet. 00:41:47 – Message to young Whitney. 00:43:28 – Planning life after sport. 00:45:35 – Final reflections. Connect with Whitney -  Insta @whitneysouness Fuel your game the right way - 4TG listeners get 10% off Younify Active supplements designed for athletes. 👉 Grab yours here - https://younifyactive.com/Recover Smarter with P3 Recovery Port Melbourne - P3 Recovery are helping our 4TG community feel and perform their best 💪 Use code 4TG20 for 20% off casual visits. If this episode inspired you, please subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share it with a female athlete or coach who needs to hear it.Stay connected with us on Insta at @4TG_Podcast. Support the 4TG mission on Buy Me a Coffee, every contribution helps us spotlightFor brand collaborations or sponsorships, reach out at [email protected] the showABOUT THE HOSTKylie Lynch is the Founder and Host of 4TG (For The Girls), a podcast and platform on a mission to keep more girls and women in sport.A VFLW athlete, Australian representative in Polocrosse, coach, mentor and media/communications professional, Kylie has spent her career at the intersection of sport, media and community impact. Through 4TG, she shares the stories, lessons and experiences of elite athletes, coaches and industry leaders to help girls and women build confidence, navigate challenges and stay involved in sport for longer. Because sport doesn't just build athletes. It builds confidence, resilience, leadership, connection and opportunities that positively impact girls and women both on and off the field.Connect with Kylie:Instagram: @kylie__lynchLinkedIn: Kylie LynchWebsite: www.4tg.com.auEmail: [email protected] THE 4TG COMMUNITY4TG exists to help keep more girls and women in sport.Through powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, experts and industry leaders, we're building a community where girls and women feel inspired, supported and empowered to stay in the game.Instagram: @4tg_podcastTikTok: ...