SELF-belief is a wonderful thing. It’s what separates those who are successful in the sporting world, and those who are not successful. Chris Vermeulen wouldn’t be a star in the MotoGP championship if he didn’t believe he was capable of beating the best.

He hasn’t quite done it yet, but he believes that he can. I am not prepared to state that he won’t. In fact, it would be a surprise if the Yandina flyer is not on the podium before too long and from there it won’t take too much more before he gets the No.1 spot.

Katherine Hull, through all those missed cuts on the US LPGA Tour last year, didn’t give up on her ability. She had to return to qualifying school, a place no golfer with the talent of the Sunrise Beach professional likes to be at. But even after a disastrous year, where she probably spent more money than she earned, Hull maintained that belief that her game was good enough.

That confidence was a big factor at Q School where she regained her playing privileges for 2007 and in the last few weeks she has started to find some of her old form. A debut victory seemed a possibility at the SemGroup Championship last Monday when Hull was up with the leaders coming to the final nine holes.

Only she would know if she had the belief that she could win of women’s golf ’s toughest tour. What did happen was three late bogeys which saw the possible victory turn into a tie for ninth. Maybe next time for her. Then there’s the Sunshine Coast Stingrays.

If they could play Norths-QUT more than twice a season, their wins tally would shoot up. When the ‘Rays play Norths they know they can win.
After a 22-10 success on Saturday, they’ve now done in three times in two seasons.

When it comes to playing any of the other Premier Rugby sides, that belief seems to disappear. They’ve beaten no-one else this season, although Norths, despite their failures against the Coast, have managed to gain three wins.

The answer? Perhaps they could be hypnotised into thinking they are playing Norths every week.