Sports Awards

Sporting excellence took centre stage at the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Regional Sports Awards 2025 recently held at the Elangeni Hotel. Outstanding student athletes - from national team call ups to Varsity Shield champions - were recognised for their achievements.

The Durban North, Westville and Pietermaritzburg campuses each had eight award categories: Club Administrator of the Year, Sport Committee Member of the Year, Sport Club of the Year, Sport for Good, South African Representatives, All Star Award, Sportswoman of the Year and Sportsman of the Year. A Regional Sports Team of the Year was also named.

Keynote speaker, SA Olympic swimmer and Alumnus Martin Bindell inspired students with three lessons from his swimming career: focus on what you can control, stay committed without fixating on results and remember to enjoy the journey. He encouraged student athletes to channel their energy into effort, attitude and teamwork rather than outcomes, reminding them that performance thrives when pressure and expectation are replaced with purpose and joy.

Durban North Sportswoman of the Year, Sinothile Bhengu (second year IIE Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching student) received the award for the third consecutive year.

“It feels amazing to be recognised,” she said. “It reminds me that my dedication, discipline and love for the sport haven’t gone unnoticed”.

Bhengu, who switched from Soccer to Rugby in high school, has captained the U15 Provincial Girls’ Team and the Sharks U16 Girls’ Team, made the Sharks U18 squad, the Junior Springboks U20 Women’s Team and currently plays for the Sharks Senior Women’s Team. Her 2025 highlight was scoring a try for the Springboks Women’s Team which won the 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar.

“My family is my biggest motivation – they supported me through everything,” she said. “I’m also inspired by the young girls who look up to me. I was once that girl who dreamt of playing for the national team, so I want to show that it’s possible with hard work and faith”. Her advice to fellow students: “Prioritise your time wisely, don’t neglect your studies and don’t let your passion for sport fade. Success comes from consistency, not perfection.”

Westville Sportsman of the Year, Kelly Geldenhuys (third year IIE Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching student) described his award as a “humbling honour”. “It represents not just personal achievement, but also the sacrifices made by everyone who has supported me - my coaches, teammates, family and IIE’s Varsity College staff,” he said.

Geldenhuys’s Water polo journey began in school and led him to progress through provincial and national levels where he represented SA in the Men’s National Protea Team at the Water Polo World Championships in Singapore.

“Balancing training, studies and recovery from injuries has been challenging, but every obstacle has taught me perseverance and self belief,” he said. “Success is built through small, consistent efforts. Surround yourself with supportive people, communicate openly with your lecturers and coaches, and remember that sport and academics together can shape you into a stronger, more balanced person”.

Golfer Aaria Bhagwandeen (second year IIE Bachelor of Computer and Information Science in Application Development student) is Pietermaritzburg Sportswoman of the Year and All Star Award recipient. She placed first in the KZN Junior Golf Development, first in the Mug of Mugs C Division at Midlands Golf Club and third in the BMW Golf Cup 2025, all while maintaining strong academic results.

“It’s such an honour to have my hard work and dedication acknowledged. These awards represent the journey behind every achievement - the challenges, growth and support from those around me,” said Bhagwandeen. “Being named Sportswoman of the Year, especially, inspires me to keep setting higher goals and to be a role model for other younger athletes”.

She started playing golf with her Dad in 2016 and has since grown in focus and consistency. Balancing her studies with training hasn’t been easy, but she credited The IIE’s Varsity College for creating an environment where student athletes can thrive. “The lecturers are supportive and understanding of our sporting commitments and the flexible study structure makes it easier to manage both academics and training”.

Durban North Campus Head Rajesh Chandarman said the celebration of sporting excellence extended beyond medals and trophies. “It’s about determination, resilience and purpose. What separates the best from the rest is attitude. A positive mental attitude might not let you do everything, but it helps you do anything better than you would with a negative one,” he said.

He highlighted the year’s major achievement - The FNB Varsity College Comets’ promotion to the FNB Varsity Cup in 2026 after winning the FNB Varsity Shield and being named Regional Sports Team of the Year.

“This phenomenal success has been years in the making and is the result of dedication from our students, coaches and staff,” said Chandarman. “Congratulations also to our 12 South African representatives across our KZN campuses in indoor hockey, hockey, rugby, karate, lifesaving, mixed martial arts and water polo. May our student athletes’ journey be bold, their impact lasting and their story be told”.