Bradley Betts and Amy Baily were crowned the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year 2017 respectively, when the Rhodes Sports Awards cocktail function was held this week.
Betts is a member of the Rowing Club and won Sportsman of the Year for the second consecutive year, while Baily is a member of the Dancesport Club.
The annual awards evening took place on Wednesday evening at Prime nightclub on New Street, under the theme “The purple shall govern”–all décor and drinks were purple, black and white, making the overall evening a great success. The event began by honouring the 2016 winners, as last year’s student protests led to the cancellation of the sports awards function.
Before the 2017 awards were handed out, two guest speakers shared their sporting experiences and wise counsel for tall present. Bavuyise Matyumza, who has played for U21 and U23 Netball South Africa, spoke fondly of her days as a Rhodes 1st team netball players; while drawing on his two Olympic hockey tours experiencesChris Hibbert, Director of Sports at DSG, spoke of the trying times and challenges that a sportsperson faces.
The Professor Chris Whitely Performance of the Year award for 2017 as well as the Albany Jewellers trophy for the Committee of the Year were awarded to the Danceport Club. The Rowing Club took the Datsan/Nissian trophy for the Club of the Year 2017.
Joe Slovo residence was awarded both the Spirit and Top Male Inter-Residence awards for 2017, while the top female residence was Allan Gray. The Neilen Locke Staff Coach of 2017 was Chris Holliday and Candice Rafael was the Neilen Locke Student Coach of the Year.
The 2016 awards saw Ettione Ferrerira from the Archery Club named 2016 Sportswoman of the year, joining two-time winner Betts from the Rowing Club.
New House residence took the 2016 award for the Inter-residential Spirit and Top Female House, while Joe Slovo house took the Top Male house Award. The Neilen Locke Staff Coach of the Year award went to Sebbi Kankondi, Neilen Locke Student Coach of the Year was given to Chris Rafael from the Dancesport club.
The Sports Administrator of 2016 was Kudzanayi Nzombe. The Rhodes Sport Society with the Best Community Outreach involvement was the Karata Club who help with the Alicedale Karate Club. The Archery club took both the Club and Committee of the Year awards.
Betts also took the Performance of the Year award 2017 for placing 4th at the U23 world rowing championships.
