Trustco United Sport Club celebrated their year in style at their annual prizegiving awards ceremony on Friday night.
In a tent erected on their hallowed turf in Olympia, United’s sport stars of the year were honoured in the individual categories, but the greatest achievement came from their rugby premier league team, which won the team of the year award after winning the Namibian Premier League Rugby title this year.
In a thrilling final on 2 September they beat arch-enemies Wanderers 30-29, after a last minute penalty by Renier Benade to win the trophy for the first time in four years, and only the second time over the past 10 years.
That young team that started taking shape about three years ago has now produced several new United stars, taking United into a new era.
They include their indefatigable captain and loose-forward Eloff du Plessis, who popped up in various positions throughout the season, but then had to miss the semis and final due to injury; his younger brother, the dynamic scrumhalf Jahno du Plessis; and their mercurial flyhalf Handro van Zyl.
Du Plessis won the award for the most tries, while their young versatile forward, Thiart Lintvelt, who covers at both lock and flank, won the sportsman of the year award. Flanker Feddy Mazila won two awards – the player of the year award and the best defender award, while Zander Bronckhorst won the most dedicated player award.
Oupa Iilonga won the senior progress award; Hanno Husselman won the junior progress award; JD Nel won the clubman of the year award; Llewellyn Koopman won the most valuable player second team award; Hardus Louwrens won the best second team back award; and Mbiri Mbai won the best second team forward award.
In women’s rugby, United reached the final of the Namibian Premier League where they lost 47-3 to Unam. In their individual awards, Geraldine de Klerk won the sportswoman of the year award; Michelle Slinger the player of the year; Roberta Fabio scored the most tries; Rhevonne de Klerk was the best defender; and Valindi Rosaria was the most devoted player.
In netball, United won the Khomas First Division League as well as the Khomas Netball Super 10 Cup competition.
Zanre Farmer won the sportwoman of the year award; Simoney Janse van Rensburg won the sport icon of the year award; and Elzinre Burger won the sport personality of the year award.
There were also various individual awards in the 1A senior team, 1B junior team, and second league categories, while Enrica Farmer won the overall United coach of the year award.
In cricket, United are rebuilding with a young side and are still quite a way behind Wanderers and Windhoek Old Boys who have dominated club cricket in recent years.
Their young all-rounder Handre Klazinga, who recently made his national debut for Namibia against Zimbabwe, won the senior cricket player of the year award; and Michael Muller won the junior cricket player of the year award.
There were also various other awards in the premier league, first league and second league categories.
Five club members received service awards, namely Patrick Awoseb, Tangeni Jonas, Abraham Daniel and Llewelyn Eitabeb, while three members received honorary awards – Winmar Rust who has served the club as player and administrator for more than 20 years, Riaan Walters (plus 20 years) and Amanda de Jager (more than 40 years).
