Two and a half months into Covid-19 lockdown and women in sport continue to weather the storms, while punching above their weight in preparation for the return of live sport.
This has seen as many as 19 monthly newsmakers featured on the #GAL2020 list for May, with women’s cricket grabbing as many as six spots.
Momentum Proteas cricketers Suné Luus and Mignon du Preez, South African women’s hockey captain, Erin Hunter and Banyana Banyana’s Ode Fulutudilu, used their time during lockdown to build their brands and secure valuable partnership deals.
The list also includes Banyana Banyana international, Bambanani Mbane, who opened her Belarusian Women’s Football Championship goal account with an impressive hat-trick for her club, Dinamo-BSUPC.
The first South African women’s rugby player to sign pro, Babalwa Latsha, earned a contract renewal with Spanish-outfit, Eibar Women’s Rugby Club.
We also witnessed South Africa’s golden girl, Tatjana Schoenmaker and Tuks Football captain, Thalea Smidt, graduate from University of Pretoria.
gsport Editor, Kass Naidoo, said: “We introduced a newsmakers event for women’s sport because it is not only about gold medals but the efforts that take place along the way, news brand ambassadorships, contract renewals, historic appointments… As gsport, we are saying, we are here for all of it!”
Naidoo is encouraged by the number of newsworthy events that have taken place involving women in sport despite the lack of live sport.
“Women in sport are letting their actions do the talking and it is making the news. It is clear that when live sport does return, women in sport will be in a position to make positive gains quickly.”
MAY GSPORT NEWSMAKERS:
Anne Vilas – elected first female President and Chairperson to lead the Central Gauteng Lions
Ayabonga Khaka – awarded Central Gauteng Lions Presidential Award recipient and earns two nominations for the Cricket South Africa 2019/2020 awards
Babalwa Latsha – earns contract renewal with Spanish-outfit, Eibar Women’s Rugby Club
Bambanani Mbane – nets hat-trick in the Belarusian Women’s Football Championship
Erin Hunter – signs as the first South African ambassador for Scorrd Hockey
Hayley Nixon – involved in an online coaching programme – Wild Dog
Jenny van Dyk – introduces online coaching programme at Tuks Netball
Kim Pople – heads up Canoeing South Africa’s fundraiser to assist those effected by the Covid-19 lockdown
Laura Wolvaardt – the star batter scored four nominations for the Cricket South Africa 2019/2020 awards
Marizanne Kapp – scored four nominations for the Cricket South Africa 2019/2020 awards
Mignon du Preez – signs as Brand Ambassador for Huracan PMD (Nano Wave masks)
Nolene Conrad – raising funds for athletes during Covid-19 lockdown and establishes online coaching business
Ode Fulutudilu – the first personality to sign up to the Mission 89 Ambassador Programme to help combat human trafficking in the world of sport
Rowing South Africa – South Africa wins right to host first World Rowing Masters Regatta in Africa in 2023
Sport. Arts and Culture – The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture prioritizes women in sport Covid-19 relief fund
Suné Luus – signs as Brand Ambassador for Falke South Africa
Tatjana Schoenmaker – celebrates her graduation from University of Pretoria
Thalea Smidt – Graduates from University of Pretoria while nursing a knee injury
Ursula Grobler – design chosen as the official logo for the 2023 World Rowing Masters Regatta
Photo 1 Caption: The cancellation of live sport did not dampen the spirits of women in sport as they continued to break glass ceilings and grab the headlines, as gsport is proud to unveil May’s list of newsmakers in the build up to #GAL2020. Photo: gsport
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