Pople elected president of Canoeing South Africa
After serving as the vice president for the past year, she became only the second ever female president of Canoeing South Africa.
KIM Pople became only the second female president of Canoeing South Africa when she was elected by the sport’s national governing body to take over from the outgoing Christo Horn recently.
Pople’s administrative pedigree speaks for itself and her selfless approach to the sport of canoeing has been rewarded when she won the Volunteer of the Year award at the 2016 South African Sports Awards for her work with development at the Umzinyathi Canoe Club based at Shongweni Dam just outside Durban.
Pople said she was excited about taking up the position of president and as people knew she would do anything for the love of the sport.
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“Development in canoeing is in a strong place at the moment and I want to get canoeing to everyone in South Africa.
“Being heavily involved in canoeing has meant that being elected president has been an evolution from where I started. As with all people who take on these sorts of positions, I really want to make a difference,” Pople said.
Secretary General of Canoeing South Africa Colin Simpkins said he was positive that Pople had the administrative pedigree to do well and be successful.
“Kim has been the vice president for the past year or so, and has been extensively involved in the sport over the past few years. She is the “go to” person for anything paddling in the Durban region.
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“She currently runs the high performance development program in KZN but he has just stepped down as chairperson of the Umzinyathi Canoe Club. She was the chief organiser of the 2016 African Sprint Championships, and fully deserved her “Volunteer of the Year” award at the SA sports awards last year,” said Simpson.
Simpkins was full of praise for the out-going president Christo Horn saying he had served his term with distinction for five years.
“Christo’s contribution to the sport has been immeasurable over the years. Not one for theatrics and fanfare, quietly got the job done and his contribution will be sorely missed,” Simpkins said.
More information can be found at www.canoesa.org.za
