Four referees from the West Rand Ringball District have been honoured for their dedication to the sport.

Carel Erasmus, Dewald Naude, Hendrie Jacobs and Gert Nieuwoudt have received awards over the past four years after representing the district at various national tournaments.

According to Dewald, ringball is a family-oriented sport with leagues and district competitions. He explained that an annual national tournament allows players to compete against other districts for South African colours.

“Each district must have its own referees, and for the fourth consecutive year, a West Rand Ringball District referee has won the Referee of the Year award – from 2022 to this year,” he said.

The district comprises four clubs across Noordheuwel, Greenhills, Fochville and Roodepoort.

“We play in leagues at the start of the year within the individual clubs, and then select a district team and officials for the West Rand. The whole district participates in the nationals in July, where players, referees, team managers and selectors can earn their SA colours,” Dewald added.

Throughout the year, several competitions take place, including the Indoor Super League, the Club Championships – where winning teams compete nationally – the National Tournament, and the SA Exhibition Games, where players and officials showcase ringball to the public.

Over the years, the district has made significant progress.

Carel has been involved in the sport for 33 years. He represented South Africa as a player, has been a referee for four years, and won Referee of the Year in 2023 and Player of the Year in 2010. He also serves as chairperson of the SA Referee Committee.

Dewald has been part of ringball for 15 years, serving as district captain since 2017. He is a South African player and captain, has been an SA referee for three years, and received both the Referee of the Year and Referee of the Tournament awards in 2025.

Hendrie has served as a referee for 32 years and has been part of the SA Referee Committee since 2005. He has won Referee of the Year three times (2013, 2019 and 2023) and has also coached and managed teams.

Gert has been involved in ringball for 21 years, with 14 years of active participation. He has received the Referee of the Year award three times (2011, 2017 and 2024) and the Referee of the Tournament title three times (2011, 2014 and 2024). He is also part of the West Rand coaching team.

“We would like the community to be part of this amazing sport where grandparents, parents and children can all participate,” Dewald said.

“Ringball is over 100 years old in South Africa and is affiliated with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee. We aim to increase the number of players and officials – it keeps you fit and allows you to become part of the ringball family.”