Night belongs to the stars at awards

Organisers determined to take event to another level

BORDER Rugby Union (BRU) has promised the most glamorous endof-year awards today at the Cambridge Hall in East London at 6pm.

This as stars of the union’s different teams are set to be honoured in 20 categories for a job well done and individual brilliance in the year 2016.

Often a dull and boring gathering in previous years, event organiser for the awards ceremony Akhona Mgijima promised wholesale changes this time around.

Among other things, he said, the event will be hosted by energetic and young Kumkani FM DJ Funky and Asanda Brown and not the old fellows who bored attendees to sleep in previous years.

And in efforts to modernise the event, entertainment will be part of it with local band Thembelani Batala Jazz Band expected to perform between speakers.

Mgijima said these changes were all in line with transforming the annual event.

“The time has come that we modernise these awards to make it more appealing and vibrant in line with current trends,” said Mgijima.

But these changes do not end there for even the trophies that winners will be walking away with are brand new.

Mgijima said the new trophies were of a better quality and also intended to make the event more prestigious.

A surprise guest speaker is scheduled to make an appearance but Mgijima could not spoil the party to reveal their name, only able to say “it is someone in the higher echelons of sport in the province”. Be that as it may, the guest speaker can be as whoever but the night will not be theirs.

All eyes will be on who are the men and women who will be showered with these trophies and the perks that go with them.

The spotlight will be on the tightly contested BRU player of the year in which Bulldogs fullback/flyhalf Masixole Banda is up against Border Women’s flyhalf Zintle Mpupha and former Bulldogs prop Johannes Jonker.

Expectations are that Mpupha will emerge the ultimate victor if the criteria is based on an individual’s ability to influence team results for the positive but Banda is a strong contender in his own right.

Jonker may be disadvantaged by his departure from the East London-based provincial side since he has now signed up with Golden Lions in the City of Gold. Other categories are: Prospect of the year – Johannes Janse van Rensberg, Siphosenkosi Nofemele, Athenkosi Khethani and Lunga Dumezweni.

Referee of the year – JP Clemment, Sinethemba Nduzulwana and Siyabulela Katyana.

Coach of the year – Elliot Fana (Bulldogs), Malibongwe Kradu (Women 15s) and Sabelo Kolanisi Women Sevens).

Team of the Year: Women 15s, Bulldogs and Women Sevens.

Club player of the year – Lelo Gemashe (WSU All Blacks), Nathan Knoetze (EL Police) and Somila Matyoyi (Swallows).

Club coach of the year – Allister Alexander (East London Police), Asanda Smoyi (Ntlaza Lions) and Vusi Makeleni (Black Eagles).

Women player of the year – Nolusindiso Booi, Nomaphelo Mayongo, Asithandile Ntoyanto and Zintle Mpupha.

Bulldog of the year – Masixole Banda, Johannes Jonker, Lunga Dumezweni and Makazole Mapimpi. —