STRENGTH THROUGH THE SEASONS

STRENGTH THROUGH THE SEASONS Sports administrators have always been the backbone of UWC’s sporting success

By Lyndon Julius

The backbone of any successful sports body or organisation is the people behind the scenes, the ones who run the administration, ensuring all the stars on the pitch are taken care of. And this applies to both professional and amateur setups. At the University of the Western Cape (UWC), these worker bees have been instrumental in the success of the University’s sporting teams for the past sixty years.

Many academic institutions that fought the liberation struggle of our country boast an arsenal of sound and very prolific sports administrators. It can oftentimes feel that being organised and structured was the default when fighting an oppressive government. Which is why Blue & Gold tapped three of UWC’s top and most long-serving administrators on their more than 30-year careers.

In their time at Udubs, Messrs Andrew Wrankmore, Edwin Wyngaard and Derick Orderson have always served alongside the University’s leadership to bring the best out of UWC athletes. The amazing achievement of these gentlemen is that they obtained their degrees at a very advanced age, sending a strong message of hope to so many not only within

the sporting world but also anyone who applies their mind to their goals.

Starting out as a squash court supervisor, Wrankmore recalls the squash courts as a place that was the humdrum of social gatherings in the late Eighties. According to Wrankmore, who obtained his Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Honours during his time at UWC, the courts were filled from the early hours until late at night with some of the country’s most profound leaders after they had spent all day at the grind with their books.

“I started as a squash court supervisor at the end of 1987, which was the hey-day of squash on campus,” he says proudly. “Courts were filled from 8.30 am until 9 pm, and this was the case until the late Nineties.

“The squash courts were very popular among students but plenty of academics were regulars, too. The likes of Prof Tyrone Pretorious and former South African ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rassool, the current Student Development Manager Winston Middleton, and many others.”

Like his fellow UWC alumnus, Wyngaard started out as a squash court supervisor. A few years down the line, he would go on to administer a host of other sporting codes, leaving an indelible mark on the University’s rich history of sports. With many medals, trophies and awards during his illustrious career, Wyngaard was also able to

complete his BCom Honours degree while plying his talents and skills as a sports administrator. He has descended and embodied what a true sports administrator is: diligent, accurate, full of vigour and, like his fellow administrators past and present, always putting his students first.

“I started my career with UWC in February 1990 in the Sports Administration department,” he says. “In 1995, I was promoted to Sports Administrator, where I managed several sports codes over the years, including priority codes such as cricket, football and rugby.

“I’ve managed most of the sporting codes in my career except volleyball, judo and aerobics. I even managed netball during the time when their administrator was on maternity leave.”

Unlike his compatriots, Orderson started out much earlier at UWC as a swimming facilities officer. Joining the University in the mid-Eighties, he was able to complete his Bachelor of Arts (BA) Honours degree while working and was instrumental in establishing the current South African swimming structures, most notably the 1994 SA sport dispensation. An avid swimmer himself, he was also a field hockey player and swimming coach, and still serves the institution with immense pride and diligence.

“Since I started working at UWC in February 1986 as the aquatics manager, I have been involved with swimming and water polo at an administrative level. I took part in the Learn to Swim programme, actively coaching and working on competitions and gala events. UWC was then accepted into the SA Swim Union, which fell under the auspices of the South African Council of Sport (SACOS).”

In addition to being part of the aquatics and lifesaving coaching staff, Orderson has also been part of the hockey club and water polo teams, the latter of which saw him earning his provincial colours. His list of accolades includes medals in 100-metre swimming with a mannequin (gold), beach sprints (gold), flags (gold) and the twokilometre long run (bronze). To this, he credits the UWC heads of department , who impressed their wisdom on him as both an individual and sports administrator.

With so many great memories, accolades and achievements,

THE AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT OF THESE GENTLEMEN SENDS A STRONG MESSAGE

Wrankmore, Wyngaard and Orderson have won the respect of their peers, students, athletes and the sporting fraternity. Yet, they remain humble and teachable. They have given the credit to all the fond memories and excellent working relationships with both coaches and student-athletes throughout their time serving the University.

“In terms of my ‘bosses’, I’ve definitely had some really good [leaders] – ones that taught me so much,” says Wrankmore. “Mr Gary Boshoff was the one that opened doors and made me believe in myself. Mr Theseus Constance’s open and humane nature was refreshing and encouraging.

“I was quite involved with SACOS squash and was SA champ for about four years. The transition from SACOS to ‘normal sport’ was quite a big thing for all of us during the early 1990s, and someone that played a big role in my life at that time was definitely Prof Denver Hendricks.”

Wyngaard is also full of praise for the academics who have played pivotal roles in his career. Dr Lyndon Bouah, Chief Director of the Western Cape Department of Culture, Arts & Sport, Mr Gary Boshoff and Dr Lwando Mdleleni are all fondly remembered by him. However, it is the students he has worked with who he holds in high regard as well: “Those who have gone on to become successful in their careers but remain humble and respectful. This was always my benchmark,” he concludes.