The Free State Sport Stars not only celebrates the accomplishments of senior achievers and persons with disabilities, but also recognises young talent.
The province has produced many outstanding youngsters over the years, and 2023 is no different.
The top School Sport Stars will be honoured at a glamorous dinner presented by Central24 and the University of the Free State (UFS).
School performers are recognised for their national performances suitable performances on a national level from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023.
The top school sports teams will also receive acknowledgement.
The School Sport Stars honoured by the UFS in 2023 are: ) Taheera Augousti (Eunice High School, hockey) – SA Schools, SA U21 at Junior African Cup of Nations, Proteas.) Berné Beukes (Hoërskool Sentraal, fencing) – SA Team, ranked 1st at junior level, Junior Africa Championships, Commonwealth Championships.) Amohelang Biyongo (Sehunelo Secondary School, basketball) – SA U18 squad.) Ilke de Klerk (Goudveld-Hoërskool, netball) – SA U18 Top 35.) Lian du Toit (Grey College, tennis) – National U18 doubles winner.) Jean Erasmus (Grey College, rugby) – SA U18 team.) Ezeth Esterhuizen (Hoër Meisieskool Oranje; laser run) – SA team at World Championships.) Ranon Fouché (Grey College, rugby) – SA U18 team.) Johanco Greyvenstein (Hoërskool Sentraal, karate) – SA team at UFAK Championships.) Jaco Grobbelaar (Hoërskool Fichardtpark, rugby) – SA U18 team.) Anieke Helmand (Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, swimming) – Ranked 3rd in SA U18 (50m freestyle).) Danielle Joubert (Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, laser run) – SA team at World Championships.) Henco Ketterer (Hoërskool Sentraal, air rifle shooting) – SA team at BJI tournament (Junior International).) Bohlokwa Khitsane (Harriston High School, karate) – All African Karate UFAK Championships, African Region South competition, UFAK African Championship.) Retshogofaditswe Lebeko (Harmony High School, basketball) – SA team at AUSC Region 5 Youth Games.) Donna le Roux (Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, tennis) – SA U19 team .) Cornel Liebenberg (Grey College, tennis) – National U18 singles 2nd(tweede), U18 doubles winner.) Fano Linde (Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool, rugby) – SA U18 rugby sevens at Commonwealth Youth Games.) Roline Louw (Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, netball and athletics) – Netball: SA U18 Top 35; Athletics: CAA African U18 and U20 Championships.) Boipelo Mashwabi (Sehunelo Secondary School, table tennis) – Ranked 1st in SA Schools U18 girls, ranked 2nd SA U19 girls, African Junior Champs, SA U19 team at World Table Tennis Contender, SA women’s team squad.) Galaletsang Masite (Tsoseletso High School, basketball) – SA U18 squad.) Nonkcubeko Mjaliswa (Goudveld-Hoërskool, netball) – SA U19 squad.) Ntsopa Mokoena (Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool, hockey) – SA U21 at Junior African Cup of Nations, Proteas.) Thabang Motai (Tlotlisong Secondary School, volleyball) – SA team at AUSC Region 5 Youth Games.) Kgomotso Mothupi (Reikaeletse Secondary School, volleyball) – SA team at AUSC Region 5 Youth Games.) Khumo Pitso (Hoërskool Sentraal, athletics – T46) – SASAPD National Championships: High jump (gold, SA record), long jump (gold), 100m (silver).) Shannon Purchase (Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool, athletics) – CAA African U18 and U20 Championships.) Miguel Ribeiro (Hoërskool Fichardtpark, fencing) – SA Team at Junior Africa Championships, Commonwealth Championships.) Miané Smit (Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, cricket) – SA at U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, SA Women’s Emerging team.) Cara Smith (Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, athletics) – CAA African U18 and U20 Championships.) Germarie Spershott (Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, hockey) – SA Schools, SA U21. SA senior Hockey 5’s. ) Marno Stopforth (Grey College, rugby) – SA U18 team.) JJ Theron (Grey College, rugby) – SA U18 team.) Lilly-Ann Theron (Eunice High School, hockey) – SA Schools.) Tarien van der Linde (Eunice High School, netball) – SASN U17 team.) Ian van der Merwe (Grey College, rugby) – SA U18 team.) Roechelle van der Merwe (Hoërskool Jim Fouché, powerlifting) – Commonwealth Classic Sub Junior Powerlifting Championships, World Classic Sub Junior Powerlifting Championships.) Heinrich van der Wath (Grey College, athletics) – SA Schools Championships 400m (gold), 400m hurdles (silver).) Christiaan van der Westhuizen (Grey College, rugby) – SA U18 team.) Marnus van Straaten (Martie du Plessis-skool, swimming – S7, SB6) – SASAPD National Champs: 50m breaststroke (gold), 50m backstroke (gold), 50m butterfly (gold), 50m freestyle (bronze), 100m freestyle (bronze). SA National Swimming Champs: 50m freestyle (gold), 100m freestyle (bronze), SA U18 record (SB6) 50m breaststroke (gold).) Immanuel Veitch (Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool, athletics) – CAA African U18 and U20 Championships.) Karla Victor (Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, netball) – SA Fast5 team at Commonwealth Youth Games. SA team at AUSC Region 5 Youth Games.) Charné Wansbury (Hoër Meisieskool Oranje, athletics) – SA Schools Championships 200m (gold), 100m (silver).
