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15 September 2021 | Story Jóhann Thormählen | Photo Charl Devenish
The University of the Free State (UFS) netball team was honoured by UFS management at a special celebration. The side won a fourth Varsity Netball title and the UFS has now been champion in 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2021.

Set goals for yourself, commit to it, and give everything to achieve them.

According to Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), this is what the UFS netball team did and why it is an example for the Kovsie community.

He celebrated the team’s achievement of winning Varsity Netball for a record fourth time and extending the run of the UFS as the most successful team in the tournament.

The Kovsies convincingly beat Maties 55-39 in the final to be crowned champions. It was the biggest victory margin in a final, and they did it after losing to Maties (46-54) in the first round.

Prof Petersen and his management group honoured Burta de Kock, the UFS Head Coach, and her team during a special celebration on 13 September 2021.

Working as an outfit

He said the side’s determination is a lesson to others.

“Once you have decided that these are my objectives and you commit yourself to achieving them, that is all you focus on.”

“It will always be possible if you put everything in and you showed it. Thank you for doing this.”

He praised the team for building the UFS brand. 

“You really work as an outfit. What I saw of the players was a right attitude when they play the game.”

Everything made easy

Sikholiwe (Sne) Mdletshe, the UFS captain, thanked her team’s management, the UFS, and its lecturers.

“We really want to thank the university for putting so much into us. It gives us a lot of resources.

“Some tests had to be written while we were in the bubble and our lecturers made that easy for us.”

She said the players never take the effort for granted. “The UFS makes everything easy to go out there and play netball – the sport we have been playing since we were little kids.”

DB Prinsloo, Director of KovsieSport, is immensely proud of the team.

“We even lost one of our best players in the first match, Chanel Vrey, due to injury. We have to take off our hats to the Kovsie netball team.”


News Archive

Two Kovsies in Baby Boks group for U20 Championship
2017-05-12

Description: ' 000 Baby Boks Tags: Baby Boks 2017

Scrumhalf Rewan Kruger, left, and prop Kwenzo Blose, both
rugby players from the University of the Free State, will
soon be playing in their first and second Junior World
Tournament respectively.
Photo: SA Rugby

Although he will soon be playing in his first Junior World Cup, Rewan Kruger believes his experience of international rugby will help him succeed. Last year, the scrumhalf was part of the South African schools team playing in the U19 series against Italy, Wales, England, and France.
Kruger and prop Kwenzo Blose, who will be playing in his second World Tournament, are two players from the University of the Free State that were recently included in the final Baby Boks group of 28. The World Rugby U20 Championship will take place in Tbilisi, Georgia from 31 May to 18 June.

A taste of international rugby

The 19-year-old Kruger says it is hard to describe how thrilled he is about his inclusion. “The whole group of players were gathered in a room and the next moment the coach [Chean Roux] played a video on his computer, announcing the team that will be playing abroad.”
The former Grey College, Bloemfontein, pupil has already had a taste of international rugby. “I believe the experience I gained in the international U19 series will help me a lot in the upcoming U20 World Rugby Championship. I already have an idea of the pace of an international game.”

Team can improve on previous year

Blose, KovsieSport’s Junior Sportsman for 2016, says the South African U20 team could do better than the fourth place they got in Manchester, England in 2016. “South Africa is a strong rugby nation and we have set high standards for ourselves. Therefore, we will do our best to win the tournament. We have a great group and I believe we have the potential to win the trophy.”
The former lock from Glenwood High School, Durban, says it has helped his team to play practice matches against senior teams such as the Griquas. “The preparation was tough and I think it will benefit the team.”

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