Volunteers Make Women’s Sport Happen

With just under a month left until the 2012 SPAR gsport Awards, gsport4girls is taking time to honour the men and women who give their time freely to make sure that women’s sport runs smoothly.

Volunteers play a big role in women’s sport, which is why the Volunteer of the Year award was introduced at the 2007 gsport Awards. This award recognises individuals who spread the word of gsport by actively raising the profile of women in sport.

“Volunteers form the core of women’s sport and it is only fitting that they are honoured for their selfless commitment to the game’, says gsport Founder Kass Naidoo.

Over the years, gsport has honoured a variety of volunteers making a mark in their communities, from sports administration to development, social media and education.

Sports fanatic Ilse Langhout walked away with the award in 2007 for her work in promoting women’s cricket, as a volunteer administrator.

Looking back, Langhout says: “Winning the award definitely reaffirmed that one’s work, even on a voluntary basis, is important for various reasons. It was great to be acknowledged and even though at times it feels like what you are doing is not seen or appreciated, it is noticed.”

Although Langhout is no longer in Cricket administration she still very involved in women’s sport.

“Cricket has been moved to the back burner for now. Who knows one day I might get involved with the administration again. Recently I’ve returned to another sport that I really enjoyed playing, soccer.”

“I was appointed as the Assistant Coach of the Maties Womens Football team early this year and enjoy this role immensely. I hope to help the team reach new heights as we take on the Sasol League in the coming season.”

Lunga Ntuli has come a long way since winning the award in 2009. Ntuli was honoured for his work in empowering and promoting women’s sport in rural areas.

“What made it special is that I had not received any recognition for the work that I did both from local to provincial level. So when I got a call from gsport which is operating at National level I was just blown away and it was just proof that God is watching every effort we put in,” says Ntuli, who won when he was just 21 years old.

“The award really opened lot of opportunities for me as a young boy from KwaZulu-Natal, I mean it has not only been that but it has allowed me to connect with incredible women who are doing great things in the world of sport.

“For instance I now have a good relationship with the likes of Noni Tenge, Kass Naidoo, Dr Sherylle Calder, and many more, and if it wasn’t for gsport, I would have only seen them on TV. A few months after that award I won the first-ever Special Award from the Department of Sport Studies after gsport had taken time to put me on the map,” Ntuli says.

Since winning in 2009 Ntuli has started a non-profit organization – called Talent is Never Enough, which offers coaching to grade R children and their educators.

“Furthermore I have been fortunate enough to complete my sport psychology certificate and also publish two books which are Love vs Sport and the Izimpande Zempumelelo (The roots of Success).

Lastly I have also founded a sports company called Alebag Sports, which focuses on sports motivation, schools coaching and sport media relations. I also currently write for the Sunday Times Zulu Edition.”

Both Ntuli and Langhout have very simple advice for this year’s gsport Volunteer of the Year nominees-keep on doing what they’re doing.

“Volunteering is essential in women’s sport, especially in South Africa. Unfortunately we are not in the same monetary position that our male counterparts find themselves. If we want to get things done, we have to do it ourselves,” Langhout says.

“I would actually like to give advice to all the volunteers out there, not just those nominated. Keep doing what you are doing. It is a thankless job at times, but know it is appreciated and seen! Without you, women’s sport in SA would be a lot poorer off.”

“Taken from my latest book Izimpande Zempumelelo, they must remember that- ‘To be the best don’t think like the rest.’ As John C Maxwell puts it, ‘Do what others are not willing to do,’ in this way you will achieve things that others could not. All in all, take a relaxed look back at all your efforts, and enjoy the benefits that come with this award,” Ntuli says.

Other winners of the gsport Volunteer of the Year award included social media enthusiast, Bronwyn Chudleigh, who was honoured in 2008 for using online media to selflessly promote her sister’s achievements in surfing while contributing to the growth of the gsport.

1GOAL won for their efforts in using football to empower young women during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. 1GOAL is a campaign seizing the power of football to get all children into school and learning. It is a worldwide campaign that aims to make education a reality for the millions of boys and girls who remain out of school.

Masalang Mshayisa won the gsport Volunteer of the Year award in 2011, for her concerted efforts to promote athletics among the youth. Mshayisa, a national coach with Athletics South Africa, is also Chairperson of Central Gauteng Women’s Athletics, and also runs a Non Governmental Organisation called Nurturing Orphans of AIDS for Humanity (NOAH), which encourages sports participation among the orphans its cares for.

Nominations for the 2012 SPAR gsport Awards are open until 30 October. Submissions can be made via the gsport website (gsport.co.za/nominations) or via gsport’s social media channels, @gsport4girls on facebook and twitter, and nominations by email can be sent to [email protected]. Nominations can also be sent by sms to 074 529 5619 and will also be received by fax at 086 725 0734.