The University of the Western Cape’s (UWC’s) Glen Bentley, Manager: Support Services & Athletics for UWC Sport, has been elected as the Chairperson of University Sports South Africa (USSA) Athletics.

Bentley, who was elected unopposed at a meeting of the USSA at the Tshwane University of Technology on Saturday, is to serve on the new executive until September 2022.

“USSA Athletics is a powerhouse in South African Athletics, and University Athletics, in particular. At this year's Universiade, Athletics won a total of 18 medals – which was the most ever. Ninety percent of the Athletics South Africa squad that was recently selected for the 2020 Olympic Games is based at universities across South Africa,” said Bentley.

Bentley has a long history with USSA Athletics. He served in USSA Athletics from 2004 to 2006 as a student representative. From 2006 to 2008, he was elected as National President of USSA, a role previously held by UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius and former UWC Sports Director, Ilhaam Groenewald. From 2009 to 2013, Bentley served as chairperson of USSA Athletics. At the 25 year USSA Celebrations, he was awarded an Honorary Vice-Presidentship of USSA, an award bestowed to former presidents who served USSA diligently.

“It is a great honour to be back in a USSA leadership role after an absence of six years. However, I have been part of the athletics council that gave the executive its mandate. The new executive committee has a very good mix of youth and experience. At least two of the executive members are heads of department at their respective universities. Five out of the 10 Executives are women, of which three are students at their respective universities.”

UWC’s Director of Sport, Mandla Gagayi, said of Bentley’s appointment: “Glen's election as the Chairperson of USSA Athletics is in line with UWC Sport's leadership development efforts. It is always our plan to make sure that UWC plays a role in as many sporting structures in the country as possible. Our history dictates that we have a role in shaping the country's sport development agenda. Glen, being a former USSA President and Board Member of Athletics South Africa, will definitely add more value to USSA Athletics's efforts to grow the sport.”

Meanwhile, Nathan van Wyk, UWC’s Head Coach of Athletics, has been appointed as convenor of selectors for USSA Athletics.