We were so inspired to hear about teenager Neve Quail, champion archer and living with Type 1 diabetes. We asked her to share her story here…
Get Neve to European Youth Cup!
Before we dive into Neve’s background, though, take a look at her BackaBuddy campaign:
Neve Quail is a member of our South African National Archery Association and is a part of the SA team that will be attending the Central European Cup as well as the European Youth Cup tournaments that will take place in Catez, Slovenia from the 24th of July to the 3rd of August 2025.
She is currently ranked first in the country in her age division and is the second highest ranked woman recurve archer nationally.
Could you tell us your diagnosis story?
All I can remember is that I told my mom I kept finishing all my orange juice (I drank quite a bit) and it was very unusual, I also went to the loo a lot. When we got home my brother – who has Type 1 diabetes – tested me and I was high. That’s how I found out I was diabetic.
Your brother also has Type 1 – did that make it any easier for you?
No, I’m much better at controlling my diabetes than him! He’s on a pump now, so it’s very different.
How did you get into archery?
At the end of 2018, beginning of 2019, I went on a fun night with my scout troop and we did archery. After a few weeks of nagging my mom and dad, they finally allowed me to start doing archery. I started with a beginners archery course and have gone on to compete nationally.
Is it difficult to manage blood sugar doing competitions?
No, I test before, during and after. I have the FreeStyle Libre so testing is quick and painless.
What would you say to someone with diabetes who is struggling?
It takes five minutes a day to test and inject and in those five minutes you are able to either fix a high or a low or to ensure that your sugar is in range. Just remember it takes 5 minutes a day to stay healthy. I’m Neve first and diabetic second…
Diabetes doesn’t control your life, you do.
Neve Quail
What makes your life sweet?
Getting fetched from school by my grandparents. Coming home to a happy house to see my three-legged dog with a smile on her face. Being able to play sport and to be in my own happy little world while doing it.
In the 2022 South African National Archery Championships, Neve Quail received a Gold Medal as well as the 2022 Recurve Girls u15 National Champion. She also set a new South African record, and achieved her Provincial and National Colours for the 2022 shooting year. Find out more here.
A 2025 update
Since we originally interviewed Neve, she’s been extremely busy! Neve has qualified to represent South Africa in two international events: The Central European Cup and The European Youth Cup tournaments. Both will give her Junior World ranking points. She has also been awarded provincial colours, and will be awarded national colours later in the year.
Neve is the 1st U21 (70m distance) female athlete from South Africa to qualify and compete internationally… All this with diabetes!
What to read next?
SMART goals: what they are and why you need them. By defining your goals using SMART, you can break down exactly what you’d like to accomplish, when you’d like to accomplish it and how you plan on doing it.
What does a good day with diabetes look like?: We often talk about the challenges of diabetes with our South Africans with Diabetes community – and that’s okay! Diabetes has many challenges.
#DiabetesLooksLikeMe 2023: It’s time for #DiabetesLooksLikeMe 2023! Once a year, on the 1st March, South Africans unite to show what diabetes looks like. Join the #DiabetesLooksLikeMe movement
Discover more from South Africans with Diabetes
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How do we get in touch with Neve or her family?
Send me an email on hello@sweetlife.org.za and I’ll happily connect you!