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05 September 2022 | Story Jóhann Thormählen | Photo Supplied
Edith Maritz with Arlonso Diedricks
Edith Maritz, physiotherapist, and the Kovsie Health team ensure that the Kovsie soccer players are looked after off the field. Here is Maritz (left) and midfielder Arlonso Diedricks.
The services and expertise provided by Kovsie Health are vitally important to the success of Kovsie Soccer and have helped to professionalise the football environment at the University of the Free State (UFS).

This is according to Godfrey Tenoff, who believes that looking after the UFS’ high-performance players off the pitch is imperative to ensuring “a top-quality product on the field”.

The Head of Soccer at KovsieSport says his players need to know they are in good hands and will be taken care of from a medical perspective. And these services are easily accessible and expedient on campus.

The UFS men’s soccer team recently reached a Varsity Football semi-final for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the side reached a first final in the history of the tournament.

Healthy relationship

Tenoff says UFS Soccer and Kovsie Health have a great working relationship.

“Dr Gerhard Jansen and his team, consisting of Paula Anley and Edith Maritz, have managed to help us professionalise our football environment.”

According to him, injury management is of the utmost importance in a contact sport like soccer.

The Kovsie Health team works alongside the likes of soccer athletic trainer, Ntele Mashiloane (MJ), and Yanelisa Nyalambisa, conditioning coach and UFS lecturer, to put preventative measures in place for injuries, better rehabilitation, and to monitor injuries.

Kovsie Health provides a range of services to the UFS soccer programme. This includes medical screenings (necessary for overall player management, participation, and return to play), injury diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Prevention and injury risks

Maritz, physiotherapist at Kovsie Health, says groin and hamstring injuries are among the most common in soccer – due to the specific requirements, such as changing direction, kicking, running, and acceleration.
It is very important to manage the workload of the players well and to sort out any previous injuries or niggles, because your biggest risk for an injury is a previous injury. – Edith Maritz

According to Jansen, medical practitioner at Kovsie Health, lower limb injuries such as knee and ankle injuries also occur.

Maritz stresses the importance of good collaboration and communication with Mashiloane to manage players returning from injury.

Her advice is that the prevention of injuries is the best route to follow.

“It is very important to manage the workload of the players well and to sort out any previous injuries or niggles, because your biggest risk for an injury is a previous injury.”

Jansen agrees and warns that rest alone is not sufficient to treat injuries. He says a proper diagnosis and treatment is necessary.

“Each type of injury and athlete is unique and must be treated accordingly.” 

“If the player does not receive treatment, the risk of a re-injury or another injury (which may be worse) is significantly greater than those who do receive treatment.”

News Archive

Lots of inspiration at Autumn Graduation Ceremony
2013-04-18

 

Graduates celebrate the results of years of study at the graduation ceremony on the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse
17 April 2013

Live streaming of ceremonies available from 16 April - 19 April 2013: http://www.ufs.ac.za/ufslivestreaming/

Joshua Johnson YouTube video

The university’s Autumn Graduation Ceremony got off to a vibrant start with energetic performances and inspiring messages for graduates.

Joshua Johnson, an American student who uses his talent for tap-dancing to fund his tertiary education, mesmerised the audience on the first of the four-day graduation ceremony with his story of hope and perseverance. The student from Penn State University travels five hours by bus to New York every weekend where he tap-dances on the subway trains to earn money for his tuition fees.

Delivering a keynote address, Joshua told graduates that, in order to achieve their goals, they have to understand and work diligently with the 24 hours they get to live daily. “Start with a bang and end with a bang,” he said, encouraging the audience in the nearly-packed Callie Human Centre to join him in a rhythmic tap-dancing beat.

“Don’t follow in the footsteps of someone else. Take the beat of life, but add your rhythm to it," his wise words resonating with the exhilarated graduates.

Joshua will be the guest speaker at the ceremonies on 16, 17 and 19 April 2013 and will deliver a dance item during each occasion.

Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the University, echoed Joshua‘s message, telling graduates not to be discouraged by life’s difficulties.

“Take what you have learned over the last three or four years and use that knowledge to reach your goal,” he advised.

Prof Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, encouraged them to continue to study. “To break the cycle of poverty, get an education, get a degree.” He told them that as graduates they are ten times more likely to get a job, with the odds rising as they continue their postgraduate studies.

Well-known radio host and Idols South Africa judge, Gareth Cliff, will be the guest speaker at two ceremonies on 18 April 2013. He will be joined by Vicus Visser, the South African YouTube singing sensation. Dubbed Bloemfontein’s Justin Bieber, Vicus and his brother Vincent will perform during these two ceremonies.

The programme for the respective ceremonies is:

Wednesday 17 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Education.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law and Theology.

Thursday 18 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: only Agricultural Sciences and Architecture.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: only Natural Sciences.

Friday 19 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: all diplomas and degrees in the Faculty, except BCom and BComHons.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: only BCom and BComHons.

The Qwaqwa Campus’ graduation ceremony will take place on 8 June 2013. Diplomas/certificates up to and including doctorates will be awarded at this ceremony.

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