A champion in netball, biathlon, and athletics, Kylie Klaasen has consistently earned top honours. However, a serious ACL injury has put her promising career on hold.
Gqeberha, South Africa (02 September 2025) – From as early as the first grade, Kylie Klaasen has been an outstanding athlete, earning provincial colours every year since Grade 3 and winning annual trophies in both primary and high school.
Her talent shines across various sports, including netball, biathlon, and athletics, and has earned her numerous accolades and achievements. In 2023, 2024, and 2025, she competed at the South African Championships in Pietermaritzburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town, respectively. In high school, she was named “Most Versatile Sports Girl” in 2024, received the Victrix Ludorum for athletics and represented the Eastern Cape for netball more than once.
This paved the way to being selected for the South African Under-17 Netball Team, which toured Eswatini from August 23 to 28. A tournament she was sadly unable to participate in after suffering a serious knee injury during a previous SA Schools “Top Schools” tournament in Gauteng.
After being examined by an orthopaedic surgeon in Port Elizabeth, it was confirmed that she requires ACL surgery (anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction), which is essential for the future of her sporting career.
The biggest challenge is the cost of the procedure, which is estimated between R100,000 and R150,000 – a cost too high for the family to cover out of their own pockets.
“These costs include theatre fees, hospital stay, specialist fees, anaesthetist, and prosthesis. Additional costs for rehabilitation will include physiotherapy, biokinetic treatment, Cybex testing, and other unforeseen expenses, totalling around R50,000,” shares a relative, Karen Klaasen.
“Kylie’s parents do not have medical aid to cover any of these expenses. We are asking for your help to raise these funds as soon as possible so that Kylie can have the surgery and begin her recovery process. Without your assistance, this operation will not be possible, and her future dreams in netball will come to an end.”
The Klaasens are reaching out to South Africans to help keep their daughter’s dreams alive and give her a fighting chance to continue her career.
Donations can be made to the Kylie Klaasen ACL Surgery crowdfunding page.
Sources: BackaBuddy
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