The 2019 edition of the SA Sports Awards took place in Durban on Sunday 10th November. The Playhouse Company was a hive of activity with various sporting personalities, government officials, members of the media and sporting fans from across the country.
Netball South Africa came into this awards event with six nominations, which is the highest number that any federation has ever had in the fourteen year history of the SA Sports Awards. The nominations that Netball South Africa got were Federation of the Year, Team of the Year for the SPAR Proteas, Sports Administrator of the Year for President Cecilia Molokwane, Captain of the team Bongiwe Msomi was also nominated for People’s Choice award, 2019 Netball World Cup Player of the Year Karla Pretorius was nominated for both Sport Star of the Year award as well as Sport Woman of the Year award respectively.
It was Netball South Africa President Cecilia Molokwane who was first called up to the stage as she won the Sports Administrator of the Year award. This was immediately followed by another award for Federation of the Year which Netball South Africa scooped.
“These awards are a true reflection of the work that is been done by Netball South Africa. I personally think we are here as a result of the great work that the federation is doing. When we came into office two years ago, we were very clear about what we needed to do, I think we have done exactly what we set ourselves to do and achieve. I am extremely proud of NSA Executives and all the role players that have enabled us to achieve all of this, thank you and here is breaking more boundaries,” said an emotional Cecilia Molokwane, Netball South Africa President.
2019 has really been a busy year for netball especially the SPAR Proteas, the team displayed their best performance at the Netball World Cup and finished fourth which is their best performance since 1995. They also went to clinch the 2019 Africa Netball Cup which was played in Cape Town. The SPAR Proteas won the Team of the Year Award. The award was received by Head Coach Dorette Badenhorst flanked by Bongiwe Msomi (captain) and Karla Pretorius (vice-captain).
Speaking after the event, Badenhorst said” it is a huge honour and privilege to accept this award on behalf of the Spar Proteas Netball team. To all our sponsors, Executive Members of Netball South Africa, players and all our stakeholders, thank you very much for your contributions, they are well appreciated, and we are grateful for the recognition. Thank you very much to the outgone Norma Plummer who led the team at the World Cup, Nicole Cusack thank you as well for your influence on the team. We will continue to make you proud.”
A player that is dubbed the best Goal Defender in the world and current 2019 Netball World Cup player of the tournament Karla Pretorius was awarded the Minister’s Excellence Award for her incredible performance during the Netball World Cup in Liverpool.
