Veteran footballer Leandra Smeda continues to perform at the highest level, and for this accomplishment, she was rewarded. The former Banyana Banyana player walked away with the Player of the Season as well as the Top Goal Scorer at Sunday night’s Hollywoodbets Super League Awards.
Smeda, who signed for Hollywoodbets Super League (HWBSL) side, TS Galaxy Queens at the start of 2025, netted the most goals (22) as she helped her side to a third-place finish in the league.
“I think it’s an award every player hopes to win. The competition was tough; the other two nominees also had a really good season, but I’m really happy that I won it. The hard work I put in throughout the season paid off.”
Hollywoodbets Super League 2025 Player of the Season, TS Galaxy Queens’ Leandra Smeda
She started playing professional football back in 2010 and has since had a storied career in the game, as she made her debut for Banyana in 2012 and has played in many leagues around Europe. The 36-year-old says that receiving the kind of recognition at this stage of her career is something she does not take for granted.
“It means a lot to me to still be able to perform at the top of my game. I think my discipline over the years contributes to me still being able to perform at the top of my game. I am almost at the end of my playing career, and being recognised in this way really means a lot to me.
“I played for the national team for a decade and achieved good things in other areas of the team. The exposure I got from the national team gave me the opportunity to go play abroad for a few years, and being recognised in this way just shows that all the sacrifices and work I put in over the years paid off.”
Smeda also spoke of the power of the HollywoodBets Super League and how it has helped elevate women’s football in the country. She highlighted how sponsors play an integral role in advancing women’s sport with financial backing.
“I am really happy with the strides women’s football has made. In the early stages, it was just the Sasol League, and now we have Hollywoodbets that came on board as well, and having these two sponsors giving female footballers the platform to showcase their talent is really great.
She went on to say that because of the exposure, female football players have more opportunities to take their careers further.
“More players have gone abroad playing in the national team at tournaments or friendlies, but they obviously started in the league. When games are live-streamed/televised, players’ chances of being noticed increase and also media coverage like radio, other digital platforms also help.”
The awards highlighted how women’s football continues to grow and shows the influence that Hollywoodbets has had on the women’s game. Smeda reflected on what an immense impact the recognition has had not just on herself but also for women’s football in the country.
“I think it’s great that players and officials are being awarded and celebrated for their hard work throughout the season. What the awards have done is ensure that there is recognition, and this, along with visibility, goes a long way.”
The player from the Western Cape is in the twilight of her career but does not have plans to retire just yet. She wants to stay in the game as she is currently studying BSc in Strength and Conditioning. Smeda is already eyeing the new season and hoping she can continue to make valuable contributions to help her team achieve success in the new campaign.
“In the new season, my personal goal is just to use the success of last season as motivation to help my club achieve its goals and hopefully improve my goal-scoring stats from last season.
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It is very important for me to perform at a high standard so I am able to help my team achieve its goals, and also, after last season’s success, there’s that pressure to perform well, and people will expect you to perform well, so it’s important for me to take last year’s form into the new season.”
Smeda also made mention of what gsport has done for women’s sport in the past two decades and says she hopes their positive impact will continue for years to come.
“The impact of gsport on women’s sport has been huge. They have always advocated and celebrated women’s sport, which has been great to witness, and I hope to see gsport grow even bigger over the next 20 years!”
2025 Hollywoodbets Super League Award Winners
Young Player of the Season – Bonolo Mokoma (JVW FC)
Top Goal Scorer – Leandra Smeda (TS Galaxy Queens)
Coach of the Season – Godfrey Sapula (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies)
Player of the Season – Leandra Smeda (TS Galaxy Queens)
Players’ Player of the Season – Bonolo Mokoma (JVW FC)
Midfielder of the Season – Jessica Wade (JVW FC)
Defender of the Season – Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies)
Goalkeeper of the Season – Dineo Magagula (TS Galaxy Queens)
Referee of the Season – Jean Ndebele
Assistant Referee of the Season – Nolitha Mhlomi
Main Photo Caption: TS Galaxy Queens’ star footballer Leandra Smeda walked away with the Player of the Season Award as well as the Top Goal Scorer Award at the 2025 Hollywoodbets Super League Awards on Sunday, 1 February, 2025. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Smeda: “It’s an award every player hopes to win. The competition was tough, but I’m really happy that I won it.”
Photo 3 Caption: Smeda lauded the impact of the Hollywoodbets Super League, and praised the awards for recognising players and officials’ hard work to ensure crucial visibility.
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