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UFS crowned 2021 Varsity Netball champions

31 August 2021 | Story Ruan Bruwer | Photo Varsity Sports

Netball Win 1 copy — The UFS celebrates its 55-39 win over Stellenbosch University in the final of the Varsity Netball tournament. This is their fourth crown in eight years.

After losing to Stellenbosch University in the opening round of Varsity Netball, the University of the Free State (UFS) kept the trust and smashed the same opponents eight days later to lift the trophy.

The UFS netball team claimed their fourth crown – two more than any other team in the eight years of the competition – when they won the final by 55-39 in Stellenbosch on Monday night (30 August 2021).

This is the biggest victory margin in a final. The UFS team has now won all four finals in which they participated.

According to coach Burta de Kock, she did not say much to the players after their first-round loss by eight goals. It was their only defeat in nine matches.

“I left them alone and I knew they would fix what had to be fixed. We kept the trust the whole time.”

“The players promised one another before the final that they would bring their best to the court. We are blessed to have such wonderful players taking the lead and guiding and mentoring the youngsters,” De Kock said.

Captain Sikholiwe Mdletshe also mentioned the first encounter as the turning point. “We got the team together and decided to fight as an army. We never looked back.”

Khanyisa Chawane, who was the Player of the Match in both the final and semi-final, said, “We told ourselves we are going to a final and we are going to win it, and that is the mindset we came here with and what took us through.”

Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, congratulated the champions. “Under the leadership of coach Burta de Kock and captain Sikholiwe Mdletshe, the team worked exceptionally hard to reach the top, and their commitment and courage paid off.”

“Thank you also to the rest of the coaching staff. The final was spectacular, and we are proud of what they have achieved. I salute our champions on behalf of the entire university community,” Prof Petersen said.

News Archive

Trading innovative ideas for academic bursaries worth R275 000

2015-11-09

The top three individual bursary winners with TATA and UFS representatives. From Left: Naquita Fernandes, Henrike Prinsloo, Lebohang Motsisi, Stefan Strampe, Dr. Johan van Zyl, Jehan van Vuuren, Sanjeeb Lahiri and Salomien Boshoff.
Photo: Lize Van Den Berg

Learning from industry experts is essential for students’ development. When that learning eases the financial burden of tuition fees, it is even better. TATA Africa has ensured that students from the University of the Free State (UFS) earn academic currency for displaying leadership and business skills.

Jehan Van Vuuren walked away with R40 000 in his student account, Hendrike Prinsloo earned herself R30 000, Stephan Strampe has R25 000 less to worry about when the 2016 academic year arrives, and seven other students managed to save their parents R20 000 each.

These top 10 Strategic Marketing students from the UFS Department of Business Management and Department of Communication Science took up the challenge of devising strategic concepts to be implemented by the Africa branch of TATA Group companies.

TATA Group is a multinational conglomerate which specialises in a wide range of products and services, such as automobile manufacturing, hotel accommodation, construction, textiles, food and beverages, amongst other enterprises operating under its banner. On 15 October 2015, the company’s Head Office representatives signed a cheque for R275 000 to reward the creative input of our students.

Lesle-Ann George won an academic bursary worth R20 000 for her individual effort, and was also part of one of the best four groups that won R10 000 each. She said the competition was an opportunity of a lifetime. The financial aid will be channeled towards the BCom Marketing Honours degree she intends pursuing next year.

The students’ ideas included market research for TATA motors, the development of a mobile application for the Taj Hotel, as well as innovative student-oriented social media, and guerrilla marketing strategies.

“This collaborative partnership between TATA Africa and UFS has provided the students with an opportunity to learn from key role-players in the industry and, in turn, to gain practical exposure to real-life industry happenings,” said Naquita Fernandes, a Business Management lecturer and the competition’s co-organiser.

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