The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus has launched a monthly awards initiative to recognise outstanding athletes in all the sporting codes on the campus.

These awards are aimed at giving recognition and showing appreciation for their efforts, and are made in three categories: Department Team of the Month, Department Athlete of the Month, and Fans Athlete of the Month.

The Fans Athlete category allows followers to vote on the campus’ Facebook page for the athlete they believe is most deserving. Followers vote by reacting with a specific emoji assigned to an athlete, and the athlete with the most reactions then wins the category.

For the category Department Athlete of the Month, the Sports department gathers statistics on each athlete and objectively selects the deserving winner based on merit.

The Department Team of the Month is also selected in the same manner, and the sports team with the most outstanding statistics for a specific month walks away with the spoils.

“The department traditionally celebrates athletes’ achievements at the end of the year, but this year the Sports department decided – especially taking into account the current pandemic and its accompanying restrictions – to show appreciation for their commitment and everything they do each month to keep the NWU’s flag flying high,” says Rick van Rooyen, sports manager.

He says another aim of this initiative is to help stimulate healthy internal competition between athletes and teams.

Kamogelo Matane for the Soccer Institute SAB team emerged victorious for the month of July as the Fans Athlete of the Month.

The Soccer Institute’s SAB team walked away with the Department Team of the Month award, after winning eight of the nine games they played in May.

Finally, Tarren Fortuin walked away with the award for Department Athlete of the Month after being selected for the Leopards Rugby Senior Women's team.

Kamogelo Matane from the Soccer Institute’s SAB team walked away with the Fans Athlete of the Month award. On his left is NWU mascot, Eagi, and on his right is Mafika, the Mahikeng Campus’ mascot.

Tarren Fortuin was named the Department Athlete of the Month. Eagi, the NWU’s mascot, celebrates with her.