{"id":263547,"date":"2025-06-19T16:27:36","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T14:27:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/?p=263547"},"modified":"2025-06-19T16:32:08","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T14:32:08","slug":"a-toast-to-excellence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/","title":{"rendered":"A toast to excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n

Sports stars from across the Free State will be honoured for their achievements at a glamorous event hosted by the University of Free State (UFS) and Novus Media.\r<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year’s event will take place on Thursday, 9 October, at the Monte Bello Estate outside Bloemfontein.\r<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeannine van Zyl, general manager of Novus Media Community News in the Free State and Northern Cape, says the partnership allows Novus Media to highlight and celebrate outstanding achievements while fostering a strong connection between the sporting communities. \r<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Protea netball player Vanes-Mari du Toit will once again serve as master of ceremonies and co-host alongside Rethabile Moshounyane, a local radio presenter and student at the University of the Free State (UFS). Louzanne Coetzee, who has won three medals at the Paralympic Games and was named the 2024 Sports Star of the Year, will be this year’s keynote speaker. \r<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coetzee, a visually impaired athlete, won a silver medal in the T11 category of the 1 500m race and a bronze medal in the T12 marathon at the 2020 Paralympic Games held in Tokyo. She won another bronze medal in the T11, 1500m race at the 2024 Paralympic Games held in Paris. \r<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The awards provide a vital platform to honour the remarkable achievements of our student-\r<\/p>\n\n\n\n

athletes and Free State stars,” says Jerry Laka, director of KovsieSport, arts and culture.\r<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25a0 Keep an eye on Novus Media’s community newspapers in the Free State \u2013 BloemNuus, BloemExpress, Vista, and VrystaatKroon \u2013 for more information about this year’s nominations and other details about the 2024 Sports Star of the Year awards event.\r<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The evening’s proceedings will begin at 18:00 for 18:30. \r<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tickets cost R480 for a single ticket or R4 800 for a table of ten. \r<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Direct enquiries at Ainslee Oosthuyen at 074 120 4450, or send email to ainslee@spottedapple.co.za.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Former Protea netball player Vanes-Mari du Toit will be the master of ceremonies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Rethabile Moshounyane, local radio presenter and student will be the co-host alongside Vanes-Mari du Toit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
dummy text<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sports stars from across the Free State will be honoured for their achievements at a glamorous event hosted by the University of Free State (UFS) and Novus Media. This year’s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":263548,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"64","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"30","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_eb_attr":"","_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"2025-06-11","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"3","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"22","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"1","article_feature_type":"normal","article_main_image_caption":"Louzanne Coetzee, who was named the 2024 Sports Star of the Year, will be this year's keynote speaker. Photos: Supplied","article_media_icon":"1","article_template":"news","author_byline":"","background_color":"","block_editor":"1","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"A toast to excellence","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":["VKSportsterre20251_P1","VKSportsterre20251_P2","VKSportsterre20251_P3","VKSportsterre20251_P4"],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[22],"tags":[91],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-263547","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport","tag-top"],"yoast_head":"\nA toast to excellence | VrystaatKroon<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Celebrate with us at the event A toast to excellence, honoring sports stars from the Free State at Monte Bello Estate.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A toast to excellence\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Celebrate with us at the event A toast to excellence, honoring sports stars from the Free State at Monte Bello Estate.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"VrystaatKroon\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VrystaatKroon\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-06-19T14:27:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-19T14:32:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Photo-LouzanneCoetze_13539-e1750343506627.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1026\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"VrystaatKroon\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"VrystaatKroon\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/a-toast-to-excellence\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/a-toast-to-excellence\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"VrystaatKroon\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/af0bc4af343108ce64e4c8a69001202f\"},\"headline\":\"A toast to excellence\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-19T14:27:36+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-19T14:32:08+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/a-toast-to-excellence\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":329,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/a-toast-to-excellence\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/Photo-LouzanneCoetze_13539-e1750343506627.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Top\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Sport\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/a-toast-to-excellence\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/a-toast-to-excellence\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/a-toast-to-excellence\\\/\",\"name\":\"A toast to excellence | VrystaatKroon\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/a-toast-to-excellence\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/a-toast-to-excellence\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/Photo-LouzanneCoetze_13539-e1750343506627.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-19T14:27:36+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-19T14:32:08+00:00\",\"description\":\"Celebrate with us at the event A toast to excellence, honoring sports stars from the Free State at Monte Bello Estate.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/a-toast-to-excellence\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/a-toast-to-excellence\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/a-toast-to-excellence\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/Photo-LouzanneCoetze_13539-e1750343506627.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/Photo-LouzanneCoetze_13539-e1750343506627.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":1026,\"caption\":\"Louzanne Coetzee, who was named the 2024 Sports Star of the Year, will be this year's keynote speaker. Photos: Supplied\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/a-toast-to-excellence\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Sport\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/sport\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"A toast to excellence\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/\",\"name\":\"VrystaatKroon\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"VrystaatKroon\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/vrystaad-kroon-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/vrystaad-kroon-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"VrystaatKroon\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/VrystaatKroon\\\/\"],\"description\":\"VrystaatKroon is a local community newspaper serving the Eastern and Northern Free State regions of South Africa. It covers a wide range of topics, including local news, events, and issues affecting the community. The newspaper aims to keep residents informed and connected, fostering a sense of unity and engagement in the area. VrystaatKroon has loyal readers who look forward to receiving the newspaper in their mailboxes twice a month on a Wednesday \u2013 free of charge. is a local community newspaper serving the Eastern and Northern Free State regions of South Africa. It covers a wide range of topics, including local news, events, and issues affecting the community. The newspaper aims to keep residents informed and connected, fostering a sense of unity and engagement in the area.\",\"email\":\"vrystaatkroon@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"+27514047600\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/af0bc4af343108ce64e4c8a69001202f\",\"name\":\"VrystaatKroon\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/db8d32fe3b8afd81fe8a56f2569041900de6ac3ca727d9318273beb22736cb10?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/db8d32fe3b8afd81fe8a56f2569041900de6ac3ca727d9318273beb22736cb10?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/db8d32fe3b8afd81fe8a56f2569041900de6ac3ca727d9318273beb22736cb10?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"VrystaatKroon\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/author\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"A toast to excellence | VrystaatKroon","description":"Celebrate with us at the event A toast to excellence, honoring sports stars from the Free State at Monte Bello Estate.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"A toast to excellence","og_description":"Celebrate with us at the event A toast to excellence, honoring sports stars from the Free State at Monte Bello Estate.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/","og_site_name":"VrystaatKroon","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VrystaatKroon\/","article_published_time":"2025-06-19T14:27:36+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-06-19T14:32:08+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":1026,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Photo-LouzanneCoetze_13539-e1750343506627.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"VrystaatKroon","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"VrystaatKroon","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/"},"author":{"name":"VrystaatKroon","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#\/schema\/person\/af0bc4af343108ce64e4c8a69001202f"},"headline":"A toast to excellence","datePublished":"2025-06-19T14:27:36+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-19T14:32:08+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/"},"wordCount":329,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Photo-LouzanneCoetze_13539-e1750343506627.jpg","keywords":["Top"],"articleSection":["Sport"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2025","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/","name":"A toast to excellence | VrystaatKroon","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Photo-LouzanneCoetze_13539-e1750343506627.jpg","datePublished":"2025-06-19T14:27:36+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-19T14:32:08+00:00","description":"Celebrate with us at the event A toast to excellence, honoring sports stars from the Free State at Monte Bello Estate.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Photo-LouzanneCoetze_13539-e1750343506627.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Photo-LouzanneCoetze_13539-e1750343506627.jpg","width":1200,"height":1026,"caption":"Louzanne Coetzee, who was named the 2024 Sports Star of the Year, will be this year's keynote speaker. Photos: Supplied"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/a-toast-to-excellence\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Sport","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/sport\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"A toast to excellence"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/","name":"VrystaatKroon","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#organization","name":"VrystaatKroon","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/vrystaad-kroon-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/vrystaad-kroon-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"VrystaatKroon"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VrystaatKroon\/"],"description":"VrystaatKroon is a local community newspaper serving the Eastern and Northern Free State regions of South Africa. It covers a wide range of topics, including local news, events, and issues affecting the community. The newspaper aims to keep residents informed and connected, fostering a sense of unity and engagement in the area. VrystaatKroon has loyal readers who look forward to receiving the newspaper in their mailboxes twice a month on a Wednesday \u2013 free of charge. is a local community newspaper serving the Eastern and Northern Free State regions of South Africa. It covers a wide range of topics, including local news, events, and issues affecting the community. The newspaper aims to keep residents informed and connected, fostering a sense of unity and engagement in the area.","email":"vrystaatkroon@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"+27514047600","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#\/schema\/person\/af0bc4af343108ce64e4c8a69001202f","name":"VrystaatKroon","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/db8d32fe3b8afd81fe8a56f2569041900de6ac3ca727d9318273beb22736cb10?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/db8d32fe3b8afd81fe8a56f2569041900de6ac3ca727d9318273beb22736cb10?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/db8d32fe3b8afd81fe8a56f2569041900de6ac3ca727d9318273beb22736cb10?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"VrystaatKroon"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/author\/vrystaatkroon\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Photo-LouzanneCoetze_13539-e1750343506627.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":267588,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/leading-fs-talent-reach-supernova-status\/","url_meta":{"origin":263547,"position":0},"title":"Leading FS talent reach supernova status","author":"VrystaatKroon","date":"16 October 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Sport stars from across the Free State once again gathered for the glamorous Free State Sport Stars awards in Bloemfontein. The best sportsmen and sportswomen were celebrated for their achievement at the gala event hosted by Novus Media and the University of the Free State (UFS). Standard Bank was the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_34402.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_34402.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_34402.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_34402.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_34402.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":267606,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/school\/sport-stars-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":263547,"position":1},"title":"Sport stars awards: More photos of glamorous evening","author":"VrystaatKroon","date":"16 October 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Learners from across the Free State were celebrated for the sporting participation and achievement. From the left are, front: Dan\u00e9 de Klerk (Jim Fouch\u00e9 High School), Elizabeth Fick (Ho\u00ebr Oranje Meisieskool), Tshiamo Masisi (St. Michaels School for Girls), Danyelle Pienaar (Ho\u00ebr Meisieskool Oranje), Phoka Mohlapiso (Grey College), Danny Pienaar (Ho\u00ebr\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/RoleneStreutker_48745.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/RoleneStreutker_48745.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/RoleneStreutker_48745.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/RoleneStreutker_48745.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/RoleneStreutker_48745.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":267338,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/historic-win-for-ufs-in-varsity-football\/","url_meta":{"origin":263547,"position":2},"title":"Historic win for UFS in Varsity Football","author":"Lientjie Mentz","date":"4 October 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The UFS won their first ever Varsity Football Cup in the final against the TUT in Bloemfontein with a penalty shootout.","rel":"","context":"In "Sport"","block_context":{"text":"Sport","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/sport\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/KovsieFootball.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/KovsieFootball.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/KovsieFootball.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/KovsieFootball.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/KovsieFootball.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/KovsieFootball.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":266390,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/kovsies-netball-braced-for-tough-title-challenge-defense\/","url_meta":{"origin":263547,"position":3},"title":"Kovsie women\u2019s netball side braced for tough title challenge defense","author":"BloemNews Express","date":"20 August 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Kovsie women's netball team is gearing up to defend Varsity netball crown","rel":"","context":"In "Sport"","block_context":{"text":"Sport","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/sport\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/KovsieNetballteamcel_37025.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/KovsieNetballteamcel_37025.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/KovsieNetballteamcel_37025.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/KovsieNetballteamcel_37025.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/KovsieNetballteamcel_37025.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":267049,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/home-town-final-awaits-kovsie-netball-team-in-varsity-cup\/","url_meta":{"origin":263547,"position":4},"title":"Home town final awaits Kovsie netball team in Varsity Cup","author":"Lientjie Mentz","date":"23 September 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Kovsie netball team are exited heading towards the final of the Varsity Cup after they won their semi-final match againts Maties.","rel":"","context":"In "Sport"","block_context":{"text":"Sport","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/sport\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Mari-du-Raan.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Mari-du-Raan.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Mari-du-Raan.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Mari-du-Raan.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Mari-du-Raan.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Mari-du-Raan.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":267481,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/vrystaatse-sportsterre-vereer\/","url_meta":{"origin":263547,"position":5},"title":"Vrystaatse sportsterre vereer","author":"Lientjie Mentz","date":"10 October 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Vrystaatse sportluie oor 'n wye verskeidenheid dissiplines is Donderdag vereer tydens die Universiteit van die Vrystaat en Novus Media se Sportster van die Jaar-geselligheid.","rel":"","context":"In "Nuus"","block_context":{"text":"Nuus","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/nuus\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG20251009214110-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG20251009214110-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG20251009214110-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG20251009214110-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG20251009214110-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG20251009214110-1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"VrystaatKroon","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/263547","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=263547"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/263547\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/263548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=263547"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=263547"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=263547"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=263547"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=263547"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}