VUT Volleyball Women’s Team awarded Team of the Year
VUT Volleyball Women’s Team awarded Team of the Year
by Lungelo Magwaza
Vaal University of Technology Volleyball Women’s Team
The Vaal University of Technology Volleyball Women’s Team was awarded Team of the Year at the 2019 Sedibeng District Awards. VUT women’s team was contesting against Sedibeng Netball and North West University Ladies Football Team. The awards were organised by the Sedibeng Sports Confederation, in partnership with Futbulling Girls, an NGO aiming to develop and promote girls in sports.
After displaying an outstanding performance in the 2019 South African Volleyball Tournament, the VUT women’s team managed to overcome their contenders. They managed to reach the finals in almost all the National Tournaments played in SA. VUT was seen reaching the finals at the VSA Club Championships where they took 2nd place, eventually qualifying to participate in the Tubby Ready Classic Cup, which is regarded as one of the most prestigious club competitions in SA. The team went on to Tshwane University of Technology at the highly contested finals, and got their ticket to participate at the Zone 6 Club Championships.
VUT’s 2019 highlights are as follows;
- Attained 2nd position at the VSA Club Championships
- Attained 2nd position at the Tubby Ready Classic Cup
- Finished in the quarterfinals at the Zone 6 Club Championships
- Won Gold at the USSA Beach Volleyball Championships
VUT players also achieved awards for their outstanding performances. Nokulunga Kunene was awarded the Best Blocker award at the VSA Club Championships and at the VSA Tubby Ready Classic Cup respectively. Makhosine Dlamini was awarded Best Attacker at the VSA Club Championships. Karabo “Scara” Molefha on the other hand was awarded the Best Attacker award at the VSA Tubby Ready Classic Cup and also at the USSA Beach Volleyball Championships.
Tshidi Dlamini was awarded the Best Setter award at the National Volleyball League. Meanwhile, Manana Mosia was awarded the Most Valuable Player award at the USSA Beach Volleyball Championships. This VUT outside, power player, star was also awarded the Presidential Confederation award, at the same time achieving a position as a finalist in the category of Sports Women of the Year. Manana was recognised for her performance displayed in ensuring that the VUT women’s team performs well. She was also boasted by her great record of representing SA internationally in various occasions as follows;
- 2018 World Student Games in Germany
- 2017 Bricks Games in China
- 2017 World Beach Volleyball Championships in China
- 2017 World Beach Qualifiers in Mozambique
Speaking to coach Themba Rabi, he expressed his appreciation and applauded his players for the magnificent performance and effort they displayed during the season and the various tournaments they took part in. He shared not only how the team has played, but also how it has helped him improve as a coach, all through good communication and understanding. “It has never been about the coach or the player individually, but it’s about the team and the sport as a whole.’’