Prize-giving for Old Bens juniors

Two years ago, Old Bens created this award in memory of Jamie Ludick, who died after a baseball accident at Benoni Northerns.

November 7, 2021

Jemma Pringle 3 minutes read

Players Ntando Buthelezi (left) won most improved player, Ethan Liversage won most consistent player and Siyabonga Madontsela won most valuable player. They are all players of the u-13 Premier team. This team also came third in the premier league. Photo: Jemma Pringle.

Old Benonians Football Club held its junior prize-giving on October 29.

“We are very privileged to have an abundance of coaches who coach for no reason other than their love for the sport and the players,” said Didri Brits, vice-chairperson of the club.

Nominated for coach of the year by their peers: u-6 coach Cayla Brits, u-7 coach Siya Buthelezi, u-9 coach David Nel and u-17 coach Greg Seddon.

David Nel walked away with the honour.

“We are also very proud of every team that played and fought with vigour this season, especially our u-7s with their coaches Wes and Siya who finished second in the Premier League and the u-13 Premier team with coach Gabriel, who finished third,” said Brits.

Everyone received a participation medal. Photo: Jemma Pringle.

Clive Liversage is the chairperson of Old Bens and was the MC for the evening. Photo: Jemma Pringle.

Sihle Ngwenya won most valued player, Gomolemo Mokwena won most improved player and Jethro Hardy won most consistent player and all are players of the u-13 first division team. Photo: Jemma Pringle.

Didri Brits (left, vice-chairman) received the Chairperson’s award for her continued dedication and commitment to the club. She is with Daniel Dyson, the u-11 coach and committee member. Photo: Jemma Pringle.

Trophies were also given out on the evening. Photo: Jemma Pringle.

The Jamie Ludick Sportsmanship award is given to a player who is maybe not the best football player, but is at every training, works hard for the team and the coach and shows integrity and respect towards all involved in the sport. Photo: Jemma Pringle.

Old Benonians Football Club held its junior prize-giving recently. Photo: Jemma Pringle.

Coach Gabriel Baillie handing out medals to his u-13 Premier Team. Photo: Jemma Pringle.

The following awards were handed out as follows:

• Chairperson’s award: Didri Brits (vice-chairperson of the club) won this trophy for her continued dedication and commitment to the club.

• Most improved u-6: Onthathile Temo. Most consistent u-6: Isabella Mendoca/Cody Staines. Most valued player u-6: Mpho Rikhotso.

• Most improved u-7s: Mandisi Mafu and Lonwabo Mfazwe. Most consistent u-7s: Omphile Tsotetsi and Elijah Buthelezi. Most valued players u-7: Rebecca Kerrigan and Zachary Buthelezi.

• Most improved u-8: Tyler Krauss. Most consistent u-8: Retang Phakwage. Most valued player u-8: Connor Lennox.

• Most improved u-9: David Kramer. Most consistent u-9: Thabo Dimpe. Most valued player u-9: Damian Ludick.

• Most improved u-10: Liam Pretorius. Most consistent u-10: Rafael Casais. Most valued player u-10: Travis von Wesemael.

• Most improved u-11s: Cayden Harmer and Neo Rikhotso. Most consistent u-11s: Skyla Countinho and Declan Nel. Most valued players u-11: Bradley Kerr and Thandolwethu Maseko.

• Most improved u-13s: Gomolemo Mokwena, Ntando Buthelezi and Havish Chetty. Most consistent u-13s: Jethro Hardy, Ethan Liversage and Sven Bouwers. Most valued players u-13: Sihle Ngwenya, Siyabonga Madontsela and Lethabo Mahungule.

• Most consistent u-15s: Lochlan Mckenzie and Christian Hegelmann. Most valued players u-15: Kaya Majuba and Emihle Kenke.

• Most consistent u-17s: Craig Davidson, Mthunzi Nhlabathi and Shibe Matlaila. Most valued players u-17: Connor Rice, Siyabonga Msibi and Tsepho Dimpe.

• Goalkeeper of the year was a tie between two players as voted by junior coaches Ty Minnaar u-9 and Skyla Coutinho u-11 for exceptional resilience and perseverance throughout the season.

• Goalscorer of the season went to Bradley Kerr who scored 50 goals for his u-11 division three team.

• Jamie Ludick Sportsmanship award went to Diego Mendoca of the u-9 team

Two years ago, Old Bens created this award in memory of Jamie Ludick, who died after a baseball accident at Benoni Northerns.

He played football for the Old Bens u-17 team and the club felt it only right to honour him this way.

This award is given to a player who is maybe not the best football player, but is at every training, works hard for the team and the coach and shows integrity and respect towards all involved in the sport.

“We were extremely excited to kick off the junior football league this year after having played very little football last year. We were inundated with new members and recorded our highest junior membership for several years at almost 300 members.

“We are very proud of every one of our juniors who represented us in the Easterns League.

“We competed at a very high level but more importantly, played with an ethos that embraced good values!

“We thank our coaches for their continued commitment to growing our junior footballers and we once again saw our teams grow with strength as the league progressed.

“Overall, a very successful season for our club and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2022!

“We continue our focus to grow our club and become the most successful junior football club in the Easterns League. Next year, we celebrate our 75th anniversary and we have some amazing things lined up to make it an incredible year!” Concluded Clive Liversage, chairperson of the club.

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