Message from Ilhaam Groenewald, Chief Director Maties Sport

The Maroon Machine has put in an immense effort to succeed on and off the field this year. I would like to thank the Maties Sport staff for the continual excellence in their work and know that they and our student-athletes are looking forward to the break which is much needed. We know that everyone will use this time to rest and rejuvenate before we start with activities early in January again. Whilst 2022 was our best year in the last almost a decade since I was appointed, 2023 was filled with great performances and memories, and here are a few we would like to share:

-       Winning the inaugural Varsity Cup women's competition.

-       Retaining USSA titles in four sporting codes (netball, men's rugby 15s, women's hockey and e-sport).

-       Maties Sport had nine student-athletes and one coach represent South Africa at the World University Games in Chengdu, China. Maties student-athlete Jana van Schalkwyk won bronze in the women's javelin throw.

-       Two alumni, namely Nichole Taljaard and Nicola Smith competing at the Netball World Cup that took place in Cape Town.

-       Having 15 student-athletes achieving over 75% in their academic year and 37 awarded full colors representing South Africa in their various sporting codes.

-       The Centre for Sport Leadership (CSL) welcomed the appointment of NRF-rated researcher Prof Cora Burnett as well as 18 Research Fellows. 

-       The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the Olympic Studies Centre (the second of its kind in Africa), named the South African Centre for Olympic Studies and Social Impact (SACOSSI) to Stellenbosch University.

-       Having the first ever engagement as the full Maties Sport staff complement with our Stellenbosch University Rector Prof Wim de Villiers.

A key highlight is our new Campus Sport format that we started in late 2023 and we are super excited about the possibilities in 2024 for this initiative and so much more. Have a restful, blessed, and safe festive season, see you next year.​