Winning the President’s Shield for the first time in the club’s history was the highlight of a season celebrated at Kuils River Rugby Football Club’s annual awards evening on Saturday 3 October.
Club President Eon Gurah said the first team had beaten three universities during the season, including Maties for only the second time in 22 years. The standout achievement, though, was claiming the President’s Shield in Western Province’s Super League A, beating neighbouring club Brackenfell.
Gurah said the victory proved the beginning of a new standard for the club. He praised the team’s resilience through difficult times off the field, saying the character shown when things were not going well mattered more than the wins.
ALSO READ: Kuils River’s ‘underdogs’ claim President’s Shield with win over Brackenfell
Top awards
Lyle Hendricks was named Player of the Year, while Adriaan Paarwater received the Players’ Player of the Year award. Both were also recognised in their first-team positions, with Paarwater named Best Forward Player and Hendricks Best Backline Player.
Club President Eon Gurah with Lyle Hendricks, Player of the Year and Best Backline Player of the Year. 
Adriaan Paarwater received the Players’ Player of the Year award and was named Best Forward Player. 
Club President Eon Gurah with Enrico Boonzaaier, Sportsman of the Year, who reached 50 first-team caps.
The first team was named Team of the Year, rounding off a campaign in which they claimed the Presidents Shield.
Enrico Boonzaaier received the Sportsman of the Year award, having reached 50 first-team caps during the season. Gurah described the milestone as one that required commitment, sacrifice and turning up when it was easier not to. He said he hoped future players reaching the same mark would remember that Boonzaaier had helped set the standard.
ALSO READ: FOTO’S: Kuilsrivier en Tygerberg pak mekaar in opwindende Superliga A-stryd
Claude Julius, who also serves as club captain, received the President’s Award. Lynne Primo was awarded the President’s Trophy for her work in sponsorships and events.
Other awards
Janeka Marumo was named Women’s Player of the Year. Josh van der Merwe was named Under 20 Player of the Year and also received an Outstanding Achievement award for his provincial colleges selection, while Gerrit Engelbrecht was recognised for his provincial and national police service selection.
Josh van der Merwe was named Under 20 Player of the Year and also received an Outstanding Achievement award for his provincial colleges selection. 
Janeka Marumo was named Women’s Player of the Year and Lithemba Faltein Ladies Best Young Player. 
Louan de Lange was named Breakthrough Player of the Year 
Eagon Matroos and Thristan Valentyn named most consistent players. 
Connor Smith was the highest point scorer.
Sinalo Jantjies received the Chippie Solomon Memorial Award, Louan de Lange was named Breakthrough Player of the Year and Benjamin Arends was named Old Boys Player of the Year. Connor Smith was the highest point scorer, with Eagon Matroos and Thristan Valentyn named most consistent players. Mark Primo and Zoe van den Heever were recognised for selfless service as non-committee members.
Gurah also highlighted the club’s role as a stepping stone for young players to achieve higher honours, and urged senior players to set standards for the next generation.
ALSO READ: Kuils River RFC and Stormers mourn stalwart Chippie Solomon
You must be logged in to post a comment.