“This is the first athletics function in two years,” says Terseus Liebenberg – equally relieved and excited – in the athletics clubhouse on the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds.

Terseus, the athletics manager at the athletics club on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Potchefstroom Campus, says that this was an exceptional year for athletics at the university.

“Five club members went to the Olympics, and seven or eight of our athletes achieved a score of more than 1 100. For a club that is incredible. Our coaches do special work and our future is bright. We as a club do not rest on our laurels.”

Not only the NWU’s outstanding athletes were honoured at the function, but a few great spirits who make this club a success received recognition too.

One of them was Hennie Botha, who served as the club’s chairperson for 20 years. “Hennie has been coaching since I was in nursery school,” Terseus joked.

Also present was South Africa’s hammer-throwing legend, Chris Harmse. He is the coach of the brother-and-sister hammer-throwing duo, Marga and Alan Cumming.

Not only does Chris have 23 national titles, he also has one of the longest drives in golf in the country, with the furthest one being 405 metres.

As far as the athletes are concerned, Zak Nene was selected as Men’s Athlete of the Year for his outstanding performance in the 400 m, and the Women’s Athlete of the Year was the javelin phenomenon Jo-Ané van Dyk.

Liezel Gouws was selected as the Paralympic Athlete of the Year, the Junior Women’s Athlete was the tenacious walker Marissa Swanepoel, and the Junior Men’s Athlete of the Year was Keanu Domingo, who made his name in the 1 500 m.

Jo-Ané van Dyk is the athletics club on the NWU Potchefstroom Campus’ Women’s Athlete of the Year.