The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton celebrates its 2025 sports stars at dazzling event
It was a night of glitz, grit, and glory as The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton’s top student athletes swapped their sports kits for red-carpet glamour, celebrating a year of hard work, teamwork, and winning spirit.
Sport met sophistication as students from The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton traded their jerseys and sneakers for evening wear at the college’s annual Sports Awards evening.
Held in collaboration with the Waterfall campus at the Southern Sun Hotel, the prestigious event celebrated student athletes who have excelled in both their sporting codes and academic pursuits, with 55 Sandton students recognised for their contributions to campus sport.
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The evening’s guest speaker, former Bafana Bafana defender and 2010 Soccer World Cup participant Siboniso Gaxa, inspired the audience with his personal story of transition from professional footballer to practising attorney.
“Sport teaches discipline, resilience, and the ability to adapt. These students are proof that the same focus and perseverance that drive success on the field can also shape a bright future beyond sport.”
The highlight of the evening came with the announcement of the 2025 Sports Award winners for the Sandton campus:
• All Star Award: Gabriella Sparaco (Third Year IIE Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching),
• Sports Club Committee Member of the Year: Puleng Chirwa (Second year IIE Bachelor of Commerce),
• Sports Club Administrator of the Year & Sport for Good Award: Yolanda Nonkevu (Third year IIE Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching),
• Sportsman of the Year: Matthew Smith (Third year IIE Bachelor of Laws),
• Sportswoman of the Year: Shakira January (Third year Bachelor of Honours in Psychology), and
• Sports Club of the Year: Touch Rugby.
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Sparaco reflected on what the recognition meant to her. “This year has shown me that hard work and consistency always pay off. Balancing my studies with football has been both demanding and rewarding, and being honoured with this award makes every sacrifice worth it.”
The evening also recognised Shakira January, Matthew Smith, and Michaela Boaventura, who proudly represented South Africa in international water polo competitions, including the World Aquatic Championships in Singapore and the World Aquatics U20 Ladies Water Polo Championships in Brazil.
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