The North West Sports Awards took place on 18 November, and the North-West University (NWU) scored two top spots.

Onalenna Tsae, alumnus and former coach of the NWU boxing team, clinched the title of Sports Administrator of the Year.

NWU student and a netballer of note, Elmeré van der Berg, walked away with the Sportswoman of the Year award.

Onalenna's accolade recognises her contributions, in particular her pivotal role in the women's commission of the North West Provincial Sport Confederation.

They thrive on adrenaline, excitement and energy, but it is particularly sleep or the lack of it that can impact the performance of athletes. A researcher from the North-West University (NWU) says her research has shown that ensuring good sleeping habits, or sleep hygiene as it is known, not only improves athletic performance and endurance capabilities, but also athletes’ overall well-being.

It was decided on an impulse, but she knew it would work. Like the Springboks and their millions of supporters, she believed.

When captain Siya Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis Cup after the Springboks beat the All Blacks 12-11 in the final of the IRB Rugby World Cup in France, Nomvula Chasakara, chairperson of the Potchefstroom Campus Student Council (PCSC) at the North-West University (NWU), and her dedicated team had ensured that R100 000 would be allocated to aid struggling students with their registration fees in 2024.

Dino Rangaka, a physical trainer at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Soccer Institute, recently joined Premier Soccer League (PSL) Moroka Swallows FC as a physical trainer for the team.

One has adorned billboards from Cape Town to the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU), the other is a bit more inconspicuous. But there is no denying the impact made by Elmeré van den Berg and Jarred Elliot in their respective sporting codes of netball and badminton during 2023.

Very few eyebrows lifted on Wednesday, 4 October when Vernon Paulo, the NWU’s ace hooker, was crowned as the Player of the Year by the NWU Rugby Institute.

Paulo was rewarded with the Johan Claassen Trophy for his outstanding play in the Varsity Cup, and was exceptional throughout the series. Not only did he score the most tries in the competition – definitely a rare occurrence for a tight forward – but his work ethic and leadership were also some of the main features in the course of the competition.

North-West University (NWU) alumnus Khensani Nkuna has achieved a remarkable milestone by earning a spot on the Banyana Banyana squad for the 2023 COSAFA Cup. The South African-hosted tournament is currently underway and will end on 15 October.

Khensani's journey from the NWU to the national team has been nothing short of inspiring.

Lesego Motsepe, a rising star from the North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute, was selected as one of the 10 standout talents participating in the prestigious FNB Varsity Player Experience 2023 with Cape Town City FC, a Premier Soccer League (PSL) team.

The FNB Varsity Player Experience is a remarkable platform that offers male and female varsity football players the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the life of a professional footballer, all through the generous support of the main sponsor, FNB.

by  Menziwa Msibi

The ballroom and Latin dance team on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus recently hosted their fourth annual Dance Extravaganza.

The main aim of the event was to raise awareness about the availability of dance as a sport at the NWU, showcasing the different styles of dancing, and to raise funds for the team.

The bodybuilding team on the North-West University’s (NWU's) Vanderbijlpark Campus has again brought home significant wins. The team recently participated in the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) National Championships in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, and emerged victorious in several categories.

Mandlakayise Jonga was named the overall winner in the Senior Men's Physique category, while Moses Paneng took third place and Mthokozisi Zuma sixth place. Ayanda Piyo emerged as the winner in the Senior Man Classic Physique category.