Sunrise and sunset have become daily anchors for netball legend Irene van Dyk. After retiring from competitive sport 12 years ago, it took a little time to figure out her new place in the world and what exercise would look like away from the world of top-level netball.
But now, at age 53, Irene has found her rhythm. A walk to start and end the day, hikes with friends and family, the occasional run, bike rides, and plenty of time in nature are what keep her feeling strong, balanced and happy.
“I’ve got it sussed now but I tell you, I was really lost at the start,” she says, chatting with the Weekly from her home in Hawke’s Bay.
“My life was very structured as a Silver Fern. Everything is organised for you, you’re told when you’ll train, how you’ll train, when it’s lunch and dinner time. “Then you stop playing and all of a sudden, all those routines are gone and you have to figure things out. You have to find a job, fill your time… It’s overwhelming. Sponsorships, speaking engagements, invitations to events, it all died away. “If I was the sort of person who gets depressed, I really think I could have spiralled. Luckily, I got through it.”
Helping more women take the first step
Nature, she says, became a vital lifeline and now, as she takes on an ambassador role for the Aramex Kiwi Walk and Run Series, she wants to share her love for trail running and walking with others – particularly those who aren’t quite sure how to get started.
Irene will be taking part in six out of 10 of the events held around different locations in New Zealand, helping to create a safe, supportive environment where women of all ages and fitness levels can give it a go, without intimidation or pressure.
No pressure, just fresh air and connection
“It’s such a great initiative,” she enthuses.
“You can either walk or run, whichever way, whatever you feel like, there are different distances you can choose to do. There’s no pressure, it’s not a race – you do it in your own time. And the best part is, you can stop and take photos, and have a yarn with people along the way. It’s great fun and you see the most beautiful places.”
Irene loves nothing more than seeing women thrive in the outdoors. She regularly joins friends for day hikes and, of course, there are her daily walks. Every morning, Irene is up before the sun, pulling on her trainers and heading out for a walk.
Missing her loyal walking companion
“It just invigorates me and really wakes me up. Everyone says ‘good morning!’ and all the dogs are so happy to see you. A morning walk just sets me up so well for the day. I get in the door, have a coffee and I’m good to go, ready to sit down at my desk and get into the day’s work. And in the evening, I’ll head out again to catch the sunset.”
But sadly, Irene’s walks have become a little lonelier recently after the loss of Hunter, the family’s beloved beagle who died in March aged 14.
“I’m one of those people who walk without a dog now and it feels so, so weird,” she says.
“For 14 years, I’ve had a sunrise and sunset buddy, and now he’s gone. It’s been very sad because our whole world revolved around him. He was just the best dog.”
Irene still can’t quite get used to the house without Hunter trailing behind her.
The little reminders that still break Irene’s heart
“Because I work at home, we did absolutely everything together and he would follow me wherever I went. The house feels very different now. “I used to have to step over him when I’d stand up from my desk because he’d lie right by my chair. It’s all those little things that are constant reminders. Even at breakfast this morning, I had a little extra piece of ham that I would usually give to him, then I remembered, ‘Oh, he’s not here any more.’ “There’s not one day that goes past in our family that we don’t mention him and there have been a lot of tears. I still go through moments where I’m okay and then I fall apart.”
While she and Christie, who’ve been married for 33 years, might get another dog, for now, they’re taking the opportunity to plan some trips that were previously off-limits. The couple has owned a caravan for the past three years and has embraced the Kiwi camping lifestyle with gusto.
“With Hunter, we could never go to DOC sites because dogs aren’t allowed, but now we can, so that feels exciting.”
Why Irene has fallen in love with caravan life
The pair, who moved to New Zealand with their daughter Bianca, now 27, in 2000, have recently secured their own permanent caravan site, where they spend most of their weekends – often joined by close friends who share the site.
“I love caravan life so much!” she tells.
“We pack up on a Friday, take some food and off we go. When you’re in a caravan, you can either do as much as you want or as little as you want. Time just disappears. Routines go out the window – you eat whenever you’re hungry and you do whatever you want to do.”
A special family reunion
Irene is also thrilled that Bianca has returned home to Aotearoa after a few years overseas. She counts the Pilates instructor as her best mate and the mother-daughter duo often team up for outdoor adventures.
“We can talk about anything and everything. We’ve got very similar personalities and our outlook on life is quite similar as well, we’re both very outdoorsy. We laugh a lot when we’re together – although Christie keeps on thinking we’re ganging up on him.”
Watching Bianca thrive back home
She’s incredibly proud of Bianca, who studied in San Diego on a rowing scholarship after leaving school, before moving to Australia for several years. Home now and working as a reformer Pilates instructor, Irene is soaking up every moment with her.
“All you want is your kids to be healthy, happy, compassionate and empathetic. And she is all that. She loves making people feel good about themselves in her work, too. It’s that thing of pushing people slightly out of their comfort zone, but encouraging them to come back and do it again. I feel like we have a lot in common.”
The mother-daughter duo chasing adventure
In fact, the duo is always dreaming up ideas for outdoor adventures together. Recently, they undertook a 100km bike ride and a 60km walk together.
“Bianca is my adventure buddy – we do the sorts of things no one else will want to do with us,” laughs Irene.
“If there’s an option to walk or bike to wherever we’re going, we’ll take it.”
A country she now calls home
It might be more than 25 years since she left South Africa behind for a new life in Aotearoa, but Irene still has to pinch herself about this country she now calls home. Every day, she is struck by how wonderful it is to live here.
“I often think Kiwis don’t realise what an incredible place this is. We live in such a gorgeous country with such an incredible backyard to explore. And it’s safe. I certainly wouldn’t be able to walk each morning the way I do here if I was still in South Africa. I feel grateful for that every single day.”
Giving back to the game she loves
While her competitive years are behind her, she’s still deeply involved in netball, working as participation manager at Netball New Zealand. She is passionate about encouraging people of all ages, genders and abilities into netball. The drive that made her one of the world’s greatest players is now being shared to the next generation coming through.
“Netball is such a wonderful sport and it has given me so much,” she enthuses.
“So if I can instil a little bit of the passion and the love I have for the game and give people opportunities, then that’s about as good as it gets for me. “I want people to feel a sense of belonging and
be part of a community, while doing something that’s so healthy. It can teach you so much about resilience, commitment and camaraderie. “I love my job so much and I am so grateful that I am still involved in netball every day. Honestly, I start work every day thinking, ‘Yes, let’s go! Let’s see what we can do today!”
The Aramex Kiwi Walk & Run Series has events across the country until November. For info, see kiwiwalkandrun.co.nz
