Border stars vie for top honours

BORDER Rugby women, from club to provincial level, are expected to dominate the Border Rugby Union end-of-year awards tonight at the East London Golf Club in Bunkers Hill.

According to the union’s general manager Dumisani Mhani, the event was meant to recognise and honour “individuals and a group of people who we think were outstanding in their roles within the union and its clubs”.

It should therefore be no surprise for the women to steal the limelight because it was not only that Border women won the national league competition and Winter Rose went on to be crowned the queens of national club rugby – in addition, the women’s sevens side won the national women’s sevens competition.

In other words, it was a clean sweep for Border women’s rugby.

Lusanda Dumke is likely to walk away with the prospect of the year award for inspiring the fifteens side into the final of the league trophy. Unfortunately she was unable to play because of her age.

For the overall success of the Border women (15s), who achieved an unblemished record throughout the year, Skwiri Kolonza will surely take provincial coach of the year.

“Most of the recipients will be players who excelled on the field of play,” said Mhani.

“The selection was done by a committee delegated to do so, but they had to follow certain guidelines.”

On the flipside, Border Bulldogs players are likely to be mere spectators following a disastrous season that saw the U21s relegated to the B-division.

Bulldogs players will most probably go home empty-handed after their terrible season, although there will have to be a winner in the Bulldog of the year category.

The majority of the awards, including those focused on coaching and administration, should go to women.

Only invited guests will be allowed in the venue and the event will start at 6pm. Other categories: Border player of the year Border players’ player of the year Bulldog of the year Team of the year Most improved player of the year Most dedicated player of the year Club player of the year Club administrator of the year Most organised sub-union of the year Club coach of the year Player of the tournament