The top five sport achievers for 2019 at Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School are (back, from left) Bongeka Mshengu (Service to Sport Award), Lukhanyo Nkonzo (Gia Cousins Trophy for achievement, sportsmanship and service), Nosihe (guest speaker at the awards and GHS alumnus, class of 2005), Kayla Klaasen (Taryn De Winnaar Trophy for perseverance and commitment) (front, from left) Ahmeadyn Claasen (Valerie Fowler Trophy for Outstanding Senior Sportswoman), S’nikeziwe Zulu (Junior All-round Sports Award) and Jocelyn Finnie (Phumzile Gumede Award for a committed and unassuming sportswoman).
Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School held its Sports Awards Ceremony at the end of the third term, during which numerous learners were acknowledged for their outstanding achievements in a variety of sporting codes offered at the school, as well as in sporting codes not offered by the school. Girls’ High celebrated a very successful sporting season, which saw the selection of 51 learners to Provincial teams and three learners to National teams.
Provincial selection to the following codes: Action Netball – 3; Athletics – 1; Basketball – 2; Canoeing – 2; Equestrian -2; Gymnastics – 1; Hockey 22; Karate – 1; Soccer – 13, Swimming – 3, Table Tennis – 1.
Ahmeadyn Claasen was selected to the SA u18A National Hockey team, whilst Kiara Naidoo represented SA at the African Junior Cadet Championships in Ghana (she is currently ranked 4th in SA and 21st in Africa).
Melonie Croeser performed outstandingly in canoeing at both the National Sprints Champs (where she bagged 5 silver and 4 gold medals) and the National Canoe Marathon Championships (where she achieved 1 silver and 1 gold in the u16 age-group, as well as 1 silver in the u18 age-group). Melanie has been selected to the National team to compete in the World Championships in China in the u18 girls’ K2 category.
Top individual trophies were awarded to the following learners:
The Service to Sport Award went to Bongeka Mshengu, who selflessly served the school by not only serving as a Technical official, but also by training, arranging and co-ordinating technical officials for at-home and away matches in Basketball, Hockey, Netball, Soccer and Indoor Hockey fixtures throughout the year.
The Phumzile Gumede Award for a committed and unassuming sportswoman went to Jocelyn Finnie. Jocelyn won this award for representing the school in 1st Team Water polo during the 3rd term in 2018, as well as for being in the Swimming team and captaining the Cross Country team. She was also a member of both the 2nd Hockey and Indoor Hockey teams, as well as the 1st Basketball team.
Kayla Klaasen was the recipient of the Taryn De Winnaar Trophy for perseverance and commitment. In spite of tearing an Achilles tendon that required surgery, she attended all 1st Team Hockey and Goalkeeper Training sessions. In addition to this, she continued to captain the Squash team, where she contributed from the sidelines until she was physically fit enough to play for the 1st team. She fought to get back into the 2nd Tennis team and has been selected to play for the 1st Indoor Hockey Team.
Lukhanyo Nkonzo won the Gia Cousins Trophy for achievement, sportsmanship and service. She has always represented GHS with integrity and a willingness to help others. She was a committed player in the U16A Basketball team, as well as the 1st Hockey and Soccer teams. Lukhanyo received an award for Best Goalkeeper at the FA Cup Tournament and is currently in the u18 Basketball District team. She is eligible to compete in trials for the KZN team, and has also represented the KZN Inland U16A Hockey team as the Vice-Captain.
The Junior All-round Sports Award went to S’nikeziwe Zulu. She was recognized for representing our school in Swimming, U14 Hockey and U14A Netball. She was also selected to District teams in Netball, Hockey and Basketball, and will represent KZN Inland.
The final award of the day, the Valerie Fowler Trophy for Outstanding Senior Sportswoman, went to Ahmeadyn Claasen. Ahmeadyn played 1st Teams for Indoor Hockey, Hockey and Basketball. She also received the Basketball Player of the Year Award, represented both the KZN Invitational Athletics Team and the KZN u18 Basketball team, and was selected to the SA u18A Hockey team.