Scottburgh High celebrates sports stars
At the prize giving, mixed martial artist Demi-Shaye Thomas presented the awards and shared motivational insights from her own journey.
The annual sports awards prize giving at Scottburgh High brought together students, staff and families to honour the achievements of young athletes in a variety of sports last Monday.
The event highlighted dedication, perseverance and team spirit, with awards spanning from special recognitions to prestigious individual and team honours.
Guest of honour was South African mixed martial artist Demi-Shaye Thomas, who presented the awards and shared motivational insights drawn from her own journey in combat sports.
The ceremony began with Special Recognition Awards presented to individuals who demonstrate exceptional qualities such as outstanding effort, sportsmanship, leadership and resilience.
Recipients included the Girls South KZN Cricket team: Valerie du Plooy, Timera Naicker, Saiesha Govender, Ayabonga Ncanana, Jillian Sedlmeier-Dutton and Hadassah Fredericks.
Other honourees were Liam Munsamy for KZN rugby representation, Amenallah Brahim for chess, Revashen Naidoo for golf, Liam Russell for top swimming performance, Brisban Gomes for Ugu District sevens rugby and Kyla Louw for dance at the Talent Africa Nationals.
Capping awards recognised provincial-level accomplishments, including Keagan Mocke’s Natal colours in angling and KZN cricket colours for Shivaar Sivpersad and Jordan Gopaul.
The awards celebrated standout performers across disciplines. In athletics, Lwandile Lembethe earned the Girls Athlete of the Year award for her international podium successes. She was also crowned Sportswoman of the Year.
William Collins took the Boys’ Athlete of the Year award for his impressive performance in the high jump. Basketball honours went to Seluleko Masango (girls) and Khwezi Mkhize (boys).
Amenallah Brahim was named Chess Player of the Year and later Sportsman of the Year for his excellence in chess and athletics, including upcoming KZN selections. Cricket awards included Rovin Pillay as Ambassador of the Year, Jordan Gopaul as Cricketer of the Year and KZN captain, and Valerie du Plooy as Girls’ Cricketer of the Year.
Cross-country runners Mayenziwe Dlamini (girls) and Sfiso Gumede (boys) were lauded for their consistency. Hockey’s top accolades went to Minenhle Cele (Barbara Collocott Trophy) and Oluhle Memela (boys). Melokuhle Dlamini claimed the Bowley Trophy in netball, while rugby stars Liam Munsamy (most promising first-year) and Brisban Gomes (Player of the Year) were recognised.
In soccer, Anele Zungu won the Ogle Trophy and Qophelo Mlaba the Maharaj/Shange Trophy. Swimmers Keelyn Edmunds (girls) and Chad Holland (boys) took top honors. Broader awards included Jordan Gopaul’s CG Smith/Illovo Shield for outstanding achievement, Londeka Mpungose as Junior Sportsgirl of the Year and Qhawe Nzuza as Junior Sports Boy.
Coaches received appreciation certificates for their contributions as well.
The night concluded with team awards: A tie for Team of the Year between 1st Team Cricket and 1st Team Chess (both with 80% victory rates), and the Team Spirit Award to 1st Team Rugby.
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