Marian Marescia inducted into the gsport Hall of Fame
At the 2022 Momentum gsport Awards, former hockey player and now coach, Marian Marescia was honoured for her contributions to the sport as she was inducted as the 17th gsport Hall of Fame recipient.
Regarded as one of the most talented hockey players who never got the opportunity to represent South Africa due to apartheid, Marescia is the first gsport Hall of Fame inductee representing the hockey fraternity. Speaking on being inducted, Marescia said: “Firstly, I was in shock. I had lots of questions going through my mind, wondering who could’ve nominated me and how did they know my hockey history and credentials. It then sunk in that I am an inductee and I was overwhelmed. It took a while for it to register and for me to actually make sense of it all.”
Marescia, who is also the mother of former SA Hockey captain Marsha Cox, has impacted the lives of many of the youth as she goes above and beyond to introduce the game to the country’s future stars.
“I was so passionate about the sport that I was still playing when I started my teaching career.
“At school during physical education, we got to notice so much natural talent and then I would encourage them to join our hockey team in the afternoons. From there, I took up coaching and spreading the game to places that may not have known about the sport, just to spread the love for the game.” Marescia joins 16 inductees, who were celebrated a week before the 2022 Momentum gsport Awards at the inaugural gsport Hall of Fame luncheon in honour of the legendary stalwart, Charlotte Maxeke. The event honoured the Hall of Famers for their efforts in paving the way for the next generation.
Among the Hall of Famers in attendance
included inaugural Hall of Fame inductee, swimming icon and Olympic gold medallist Penny Heyns, accomplished Netball coach and 2022 Momentum gsport Awards judge Hazel Gumede, long-distance running icon and Olympic silver medallist Elana Meyer, Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winning coach Desiree Ellis, athletics custodian Motlatsi Keikabile, rugby pioneer Dorothy Tsotsobe, softball umpire and custodian Thelma Achilles, netball pioneer Dudu Msane and veteran sports journalist Jane Bramley.
The legends took a walk down memory lane to share how it felt to be honoured and to
continue being celebrated years after they first featured on the gsport stage.
Heyns, who also shared an inspiring message to guests, says she is proud to be part of the gsport initiative:
“It’s always great to be back with gsport and celebrating the Hall of Famers. It was about 16 years ago when I was inducted as the inaugural inductee of the gsport Hall of Fame and I think it is a great initiative that Kass and Ryk initiated back then and have been very successful in maintaining over the years, growing this to celebrate women in sport and to obviously acknowledge the achievements and the efforts put in by
women in various areas, not just the athletes themselves.
“I think it’s important that there’s also emphasis put on the contribution made by all of the various sectors in sport and to honour those ladies, and to also encourage the up-and-coming generations to see more women in sport.”
The luncheon not only lauded the legends of the game, but it also provided a platform for #gsport17 finalists to get closer to their heroes.
Swim sensation Lara van Niekerk made a special appearance as she joined in on an engaging Q&A session. The Commonwealth
Games double gold and triple 2022 Momentum gsport Awards winner was ecstatic to be part of the celebration as she mentioned that she drew inspiration from the legends.
“I am so grateful that I was invited to attend the lunch. It was so inspiring to hear from the likes of Penny Heyns and to be surrounded by women who have achieved so many great things in their careers,” Van Niekerk said.
Other young stars in attendance included BMX champion Miyanda Maseti and 2022 Supersport School Sports Star of the Year winner Lesedi Khunou, who were also inspired to continue raising the women’s sport flag and pass on the baton to the next generation.