Eden District’s top performers recognised at Sports Awards

The Eden District’s top sportsmen and women could be set for provincial recognition after being honoured at the annual Eden District Sports Awards which took place on Thursday night.

Hosted by the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) in partnership with the George Municipality and Eden District Sports Council, the awards ceremony saw athletes, officials and administrators from a range of different sporting codes recognised for their achievements over the past year.

The winners in those various categories will now be nominated for the Western Cape Sports Awards in September, along with the winners from the Cape Metro, Cape Winelands, West Coast Overberg and Central Karoo districts.

Dr Lyndon Bouah, Director of Sport and Recreation at DCAS, said the provincial winners could be in line for even higher honours at the national sports awards in KwaZulu-Natal during November.

“Whoever wins in the Western Cape will be nominated and the top three in each category nationally will be invited to Durban. Last year the Eden District was a big winner at the Western Cape Sports Awards, winning seven of the categories,” Dr Bouah said.

“Overall, this is a district of excellence. We believe that we have a lot of future Proteas, champions and world champions here. We’ve seen what you are able to do, whether it’s on the golf course, cycling track or football field.”

Awards winners:

• Technical Excellence Award - Malcolm Johnson
• Volunteer of the Year - Nadia Jacobus-Julies
• Newcomer  of the Year - Charlize Murphy
• Journalist of the Year - Wyndham Everts
• Photographer of the Year - Ebenezer Titus
• Indigenous Games Team of the Year - Jukskei
• Farm Worker Sport Contributor of the Year - Jacqueline Boesak
• Recreation Body of the Year - Oudtshoorn Christian Youth Forum
• Community Builder of the Year - Siboniso Mabaso
• Lifetime Achiever - Gerald De Jager
• Legend Awards - Elmarie Lategan, Hilton Abrahams, John Jansen, Michael Mitchell
• Developing School Team of the Year - Franken Primary Judo Team
• School Team of the Year - Van Reede Drummies
• Primary School Sportswoman of the Year - Jada Coetzee
• Primary School Sportsman of the Year - Rowan Mafutu
• High School Sportswoman of the Year - Nolene Van Rensburg
• High School Sportsman of the Year - Drikus De Jager
• Administrator of the Year - Corne Bence
• Coach of the Year - Sybeth Hughes
• Team of the Year – South Western Districts Eagles Rugby Team
• Federation of the Year - Eden Biathlon
• President’s Award – Abrie de Swart
• Disabled Sportswoman of the Year - Minke Janse Van Rensburg
• Disabled Sportsman of the Year - Phillo Verlaat
• Junior Disabled Sportswoman of the Year - Aimee Canny
• Junior Sportsman of the Year - Martin Vorster
• Sportswoman of the Year - Anel Oosthuizen
• Sportsman of the Year - Jovan Rebula

The Eden District hosts the second highest number of major sports events in the Western Cape after Cape Town. This is set to continue in the coming months, with the Western Cape Table Tennis Championships and an international sailing event coming up.

Dr Bouah also revealed that towns in the Eden Municipality could be used as base camps for some of the international teams that will take part in the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town.

DCAS aims to provide athletes with the necessary support and recognition to continue growing and achieving their goals, BETTER TOGETHER.