u wc h o n o u rs to p ath letes

UWC HONOURS TOP ATHLETES

By Myolisi Gophe ImageS UWC Media From home teams to world stars, these athletes are at the top of their game

The University of the Western Cape’s Department of Sport Administration hosted its annual Sports Awards late in 2019 to recognise athletes, administrators, clubs and coaches who have excelled at their respective disciplines during the course of the year. Some of the recipients of the awards included:

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Banyana Banyana star Bongeka Gamede and sensational long-distance runner Ashley Smith took top honours when they scooped the Sportswoman of the Year and Sportsman of the Year, respectively. They, along with all the other winners, were congratulated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Development and Support, Prof Pamela Dube.

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UWC Football Club (for both men and women) took home the Club of the Year award after a sterling performance in various competitions throughout the year. The UWC Women’s Football team, who qualified for the first National Women’s League, among many other achievements, walked away with the award for Team of the Year.

Zintle Damon of the UWC Hockey Club was honoured with the Student Administrator of the Year award. In her first year at the helm of the University’s Women’s Football Club, Thinasonke Mbuli was named Coach of the Year. The Department of Institutional Advancement under the directorship of Patricia Lawrence was given the Director’s Special Recognition Award. Bejancke Della received an Honours Award for her selection to the National Women’s Beach Volleyball team. Kevin Martin took home the Honours Award for his participation in the World Pool Championships in Qatar. Bongeka Gamede’s selection into the Banyana Banyana team for their first FIFA Women’s World Cup participation

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also earned her the Honours Award. Academic Achievers Awards (for excelling in studies) were handed to Kegan Hunt (hockey), Cindy Amsterdam (netball), Yushly Collop (supa pool) and Brittany Daniels (volleyball). An Administrator Award went to Sport Council Chairperson Phumlani Nkqetho and volleyball star Bejancke Della.

Athletes who represented the country in different codes were also honoured and included:

Springboks Rugby World Cup winner Herschel Jantjies who participated in the showpiece held in Japan. Kurt-Lee Arendse, who broke into the Springboks Sevens team, was also recognised.

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Springboks Women’s Captain Babalwa Latsha was also among the award recipients for leading the country in various tournaments. Athletics Club members Jesse Josias and Luke Davids took part in the African Championships. Chelsea Daniels represented South Africa at the FIFA under-17 World Cup in late 2018. Noxolo Cesane was part of the Banyana Banyana team that won the COSAFA Women’s Championships. Sinoxolo Cesane represented South African football at the under-19 Girls International Tournament. Beach volleyball pair Leo Williams and Grant Goldschmidt were also honoured for representing South Africa.

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