Esteemed sports trophy back in City Times newsroom

A local resident, Denise Mayson, recently donated the Rob McBride sports trophy back to the newspaper.

Denise’s late husband, Tim, worked for His Image Group, which co-sponsored the City Times His Image Sports Star of the Week in the early 80’s.

This accolade appeared on the back page every week, in the right hand corner of the sports page, without fail, in which that week’s sporting hero was highlighted.

The initiative was sponsored by His Image Gents and Ladies Outfitters, owned by Brian Hollmer.

At the end of each year, 10 finalists were selected and the nominees normally came from those nominated weekly in the City Times.

The panel who chose the Sportsman of the Year consisted of Dennis Lindsay, Fred Zackey and esteemed City Times sports journalist Rob McBride himself.

The trophy, which was named the Rob McBride Trophy, was then presented to the Benoni Sportsman of the Year.

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The City Times would publish the CVs of the finalists over two weeks prior to the awards
evening.

“The awards evening was a prestigious affair,” recalled Ted Jarvis, former chairperson and president of Benoni Northerns.

“My wife, Mandy, was one of the finalists in 1986. I attended most years and I recall Charlene Wittstock was awarded for swimming, Cindy McCall-Peat for tumbling/gymnastics, Dean O’ Reilly for swimming, and John Bland for golf.

“Even Springboks were among the many finalists over the years,” said Jarvis. “In 1986, for example, when my wife was a finalist, the great Graham Pollock was the MC, so yes, a most prestigious and very worthwhile initiative by the City Times and His Image which did much to promote sport in Benoni.

When Ted Jarvis arrived in Benoni in 1976, he met Rob McBride.
“As a newcomer to Benoni Northerns, I first encountered Rob as the sports reporter for the City Times. He came to the club to photograph our first hockey team. When I met him I thought he was a grumpy old man – I was in my 30’s so of course he was ‘old’ to me! He had a black patch over his one eye, hence you experienced a sense of intimidation,” explained Jarvis.

“As I got to know him I became very fond of him and found him to be well intended. I personally have fond memories of him. The Sportsman of the Year Award was a project of which
he had ownership. The annual awards function was attended by the finalists and sporting personalities and a wellknown personality would be the MC.

“Benoni has produced many fine sports persons. It is a pity the Sportstar no longer exists to promote and encourage participants and recognise their achievements,” said Jarvis. “It certainly was a prestigious and major event on the calendar of the Benoni sporting community.

“Judging by the names on the trophy, it does appear that the emphasis moved towards
contributions to sport and the community by individuals as well as organisations rather than actual individual sporting achievements.

“For example, the late Pauline Fellowes’ name appears on the trophy.

“She was awarded life membership of Benoni Northerns for her contribution as an administrator of the club rather than for any sporting achievements. Being an enthusiastic runner and administrator in the club’s athletics section, I know Cindy McCall-Peat (nee Hollis) received many awards for her tumbling achievements and has continued with her contribution to the sport of tumbling in Benoni,” concluded Jarvis.

McCall-Peat said the year she received the award was 1992.

“I was ranked 10th in the world for tumbling and had just been awarded the Sportswoman of the Year for Benoni, a prestigious award I had longed to win. Rob was the sports photographer who followed my career and took numerous pictures of me training and competing.

“He was a wonderful gentleman who loved his sport. He never missed an event no matter the distance or the time, he was always there to take a picture.”

Now the Rob McBride trophy has been handed back to the City Times, where it will be kept as a fond reminder of McBride and a wonderful bygone era in Benoni.

“We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Denise for thinking of us when she came across the trophy in her garage,” said City Times editor Lana O’Neill.

“I was a very young journalist when Rob was on the sidelines of everything sporting in Benoni, but he always had a presence and was well loved in the company.

“Personally, I would like to see a similar sporting/community awards initiative being hosted by the City Times again. Having the Rob McBride trophy back in our newsroom may be just the motivation we need!”

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