Excellence was the buzzword at UWC’s Annual Sports Awards ceremony, held on 10 October 2013, and the excellent performances of rugby sensation, Frederick Muller, and star footballer, Vuyo Mkhabela, were awarded top honours.

At the glamorous evening event, Frederick 'Freddie' Muller was honoured as the Sportsman of the Year, and Vuyo Mkhabela received the Sportswoman of the Year accolade. Her team, UWC Ladies, took home the award for Top Team of the Year.

Mkhabela, a second-year BA Sport Recreation and Management student, has been an outstanding performer this season, displaying leadership skills and admirable conduct that earned her the captaincy armband. Her performance didn’t go unnoticed. She was called upon to represent the senior national women’s football team, Banyana Banyana, which took part in the 12-Nations Cyprus Cup, and was instrumental in the University Sports South Africa (USSA) women’s football team reaching the semi-finals of the World Student Games in Russia in July.

Muller, who is currently training with the Western Province Currie Cup side, played a big role in helping UWC reach the final of this year’s FNB Varsity Shield Cup – in which he was the top try scorer, and was also awarded the Player that Rocks title. He was selected for the South African Student 15 side which played Namibia in May 2013, and represented Team SA as part of the Rugby Sevens side at the World Student Games in Russia.

Several other outstanding athletes, personalities and clubs were recognised at the awards ceremony, including: the UWC Netball Club, which received the Top Club of the Year award; Paul Treu and Remondo Solomons, who received special recognition in UWC rugby and chess respectively; and Hassan Sobekwa and Falone Sunda, who took home the Merit Award for Administrative Services.

Professor Lullu Tshiwula, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Affairs, said the sports awards is an important event for athletes and students, as it speaks to the University’s goal of enabling the holistic development of students.

Treu, the former Springbok Sevens coach, was also the guest speaker at the event, and encouraged athletes, coaches and administrators to raise their standards, be persistent and have the character necessary to reach greatness.

“Without character, players always fall short of excellence. As a coach, when the going gets tough you look at players with character to do it for you,” said Treu.

2013 UWC SPORT AWARDS RECAP
Sportsman of the Year: Frederick Muller (rugby)
Sportswoman of the Year: Vuyo Mkhabela (football)
Merit Award for Administrative Services: Hassan Sobekwa (football) and Falone Sunda (basketball)
Club of the Year: UWC Netball
Special Recognition Award: Paul Treu (rugby) and Remondo Solomons (chess)