Netball scoops up two awards

Netball South Africa underlined its reputation as one of the fastest growing sports in the country as it scooped two categories at the 2014 Spar gsport Awards.

Spar Proteas netball stars Lenize Potgieter (19), won the Up and Coming Athlete of the Year and Zanele Mdodana won a 2014 Style Star Award.

Netball contested no fewer than five of the categories, including Spar Proteas captain Maryka Holtzhausen, Athlete of the Year; Mangaung netball coach Burta de Kock and St. Stithians U12 netball coach Keneiloe Kgasi Coach of the Year; while President of Netball South Africa, Mimi Mthethwa was up for Woman of the Year category.

“We are overwhelmed at the prominence that netball has gained in the past 24 months, and our representation at the Spar gsport Awards indicates that all our hard work is paying off. We have excellent players, administrators and coaches in netball and we are exceptionally proud of their achievements,” said Netball SA CEO Blanche de la Guerre.

“We are very proud of Zanele and Lenize, who continue to fly the flag high for the sport. To those who came close, we are still very, very proud of you,” she said.

The gsport judging panel is made up of veteran sports journalist Jane Bramley, world leader in visual performance,Dr. Sherylle Calder and 2007 gsport Hall of Fame winner Hazel Gumede. They were tasked with choosing the overall winner in the categories, Athlete of the Year, Athlete of the Year with Disability, Up and Coming Athlete of the Year, Woman in Media, Coach of the Year and Woman of the Year.

“The fact that netball was so well represented in the gsport Awards is an indication of just how much netball is growing and how fast it is gaining prominence as a sporting code. This recognition certainly motivates us to work even harder as we strive to empower women through sport,” said De la Guerre.

Netball SA’s Brutal Fruit Netball Cup is also up for the Best New Sports Sponsorship category of the Sports Industry Awards.