22/10/2026
🏆 Celebrating Excellence In Every Arena
The inaugural UFS Sport Awards celebrated the teams, clubs, coaches and student-athletes whose passion, commitment and pursuit of excellence continue to elevate the standard of sport at the University of the Free State.
Among the evening's highlights was the presentation of the Team of the Year Award to KovsieTennis, following an exceptional season marked by remarkable achievements. The team finished as runners-up at the USSA Tennis Tournament, claimed both the Mangaung Women's Night League and Mixed League titles, and capped off the year by being crowned Amex Provincial and National Club Champions.
Their success reflected not only outstanding performances on the court but also a strong team culture and an unwavering commitment to representing UFS with distinction.
The Club of the Year Award was presented to KovsieNetball, recognising a programme that continues to set the benchmark for excellence in university sport. Alongside its sustained competitive success, the club has invested in developing student-athletes and future leaders while extending its impact beyond the court through coaching clinics, community outreach initiatives and meaningful engagement that strengthens the UFS brand.
The evening also honoured two outstanding coaches whose leadership has inspired athletes to achieve at the highest level. Marnus Kleinhans was named Coach of the Year – Team Sport for guiding KovsieTennis to another highly successful season through his commitment to player development, leadership and high-performance excellence.
Marco Markgraaff received the Coach of the Year – Individual Sport award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to South African swimming, including leading Team South Africa at the FISU World University Games and serving as Convener of Team Selection for Swimming South Africa.
The final award in this group celebrated excellence both on the field of play and in the classroom. Natasha Gertenbach was named Student-Athlete of the Year after achieving the highest academic average among UFS high-performance student-athletes during the performance period. Her ability to balance academic achievement with elite sporting performance exemplifies the values of dedication, discipline and excellence that define UFS Sport.
Together, these recipients represent the collective strength of UFS Sport. Whether competing as a team, leading from the side-lines or excelling as student-athletes, their achievements continue to inspire the next generation and reinforce the University's reputation as a leader in university sport.
