Latest news with #USSA
The Citizen
03-08-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Student basketball players battle hard at USSA
The IIE MSA women's basketball team recently participated in the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Championship held at the University of the Witwatersrand. The event was five days long and featured strong competition from universities of Zululand, Sol Plaatjie, Rhodes, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The team faced many injuries and challenges, but they continued playing with all their hearts and love for basketball, which could be seen on the field as they proudly represented their school. 'Our team had a great opportunity to show our love, diligence, and commitment to the sport and one another during the tournament. We encountered many challenges that tested us mentally, physically, and emotionally. In the end, we are not just teammates, we are lifelong friends,' said Daisy Mayisela, a third-year student and captain of the team. 'The team played all the matches to the best of their ability, and they showed willingness and drive to push through,' said head coach, Nhlanhla Zikalala. The USSA Championship is a premier event in South Africa that brings together top students from universities across the country to compete at provincial and national levels. Students can compete against their peers from different colleges and showcase their skills at the event. The competition was a worthwhile experience for MSA, which will aid in their development as a unit.
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
University of Zululand basketball team excels in national comp
The Unizulu men's basketball team made its presence felt at the University Sports South Africa (USSA) tournament, hosted at Wits University in Gauteng last week. Unizulu competed in Section C, with the top two teams promoted to Section B. The squad defied expectations with an impressive run, finishing runners-up and securing their place in the higher division. Here, they dominated opponents such as Durban University of Technology (DUT), University of Fort Hare, Sol Plaatje University, and the University of Limpopo, winning all four games to top their pool. In the knockout stages, they faced Nelson Mandela University, the second seed from Pool A, which included North West University-Potchefstroom (NWU-Potch), North West University-Mafikeng, Belgium Campus, and the University of Mpumalanga. Unizulu triumphed, setting up an exciting all-KZN final against DUT which had upset the top-seeded NWU-Potch in their semi-final. The championship match was closely contested, with Unizulu fighting back from an 11-point deficit in the first quarter to level the game at 47-47 before the fourth. However, DUT held their nerve, winning 53-49 to claim the title. Despite their defeat, Unizulu's second-place finish means they will advance to Section B, marking a historic achievement for the university in USSA basketball. The team's performance also saw Felix Silwimba, the squad's point guard, and Chris Nyadawo, the forward, selected for the all-star team of Section C of the USSA competition. Meanwhile, Ivy Zondo from the women's team was also chosen as an all-star, signalling a successful sporting year for Unizulu's basketball teams. Head coach Harris Maduku expressed pride in the team's achievement. 'Given the challenges we've faced over the years, this is a huge milestone. 'Nobody expected us to reach the finals, but the players showed heart and determination,' he said. As Unizulu prepares for its Section B debut in 2026, the future appears promising for the rising basketball programme. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Herald
27-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Madibaz netballers ready to ‘embrace the moment' at home USSA tournament
The Madibaz women's netball team will feed off the energy of home support to lighten the weight of expectation at the University Sports SA tournament that gets under way in Gqeberha on Monday. The annual student event, which will be played on the indoor and outdoor courts of Mandela University's South and North campuses, features 35 women's and 20 men's teams. The host institution's women will compete in the Super and the men in the Premier section of Division A. Women's coach Jeanie Steyn said it was the first time since 2014 that the university would host the tournament and that there was a sense of expectation in the camp. Their 'wide network of supporters' did not often get the opportunity to watch them and they are 'thrilled' to be able to do so, the former Protea said. While there was usually pressure on the hosts to perform, Steyn said they viewed it as an opportunity instead. 'We're ready to embrace the moment.' Herself a former USSA player, she highlighted the benefits of competing in familiar surroundings. 'There's comfort in knowing the surface, the venue and the weather. 'It removes the uncertainty and allows the players to focus fully on their own game, the team and their performance.' Despite these advantages, she is under no illusion about the tough week ahead as the women are grouped with the top six teams in the country. The NWU Eagles will be more familiar with the local conditions than most, as they have competed in the Madibaz Netball Tournament for the past three years. 'That's one of the matchups our players are especially looking forward to,' Steyn said. By all accounts, the preparation of the Madibaz squads have been smooth sailing. With six of the university's 12 players involved in the Telkom National League, it has afforded the coaching staff the freedom to develop the more junior members of the team. In addition, they have the luxury of being able to field a variety of combinations for different styles of play. 'This is a huge benefit from a coaching perspective,' Steyn admitted. Seven of the current squad have USSA experience. 'Our senior players have really stepped up, setting the standard while guiding and encouraging the younger ones to raise their game. 'What the newcomers may lack in experience, they more than make up for in enthusiasm and eagerness to grow,' Steyn explained. 'It's an absolute pleasure to coach them.' She described the event as a 'fantastic opportunity for our players and netball fans in the region'. 'We don't often get to host elite university teams in Gqeberha,' Steyn said. Kaylin Coetzer's swansong will be one of the emotional highlights of the week. 'It will be a special occasion for her, playing her last USSA tournament in front of family and friends. We're hoping to make it one to remember.' — Full Stop Communications
The Herald
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Gqeberha officials to fly SA flag at World University Games
Besides logistics, both her and Kotze's roles entail everything from ensuring athletes stay aligned with training programmes to submitting crucial documentation to the local organising committee. Goosen said there was a different dynamic in managing the four-member diving team compared to the swimming contingent of 23. 'I'm really excited about the talent among the divers. 'It's only the second time we have had divers in the squad.' Kotze returns to the global stage after managing the University Sports SA (USSA) swimming team at the 2023 Games in Chengdu, China, an event postponed from 2021 due to Covid. 'It was as close to the Olympic experience as you could get,' she said. 'Walking into the packed stadium behind the South African flag as Chinese president Xi Jinping opened the ceremony is a moment I'll never forget.' Those Games proved highly successful for SA, with the swimmers earning seven of the 20 medals. Preparations by the Madibaz pair started last September. 'We've made monthly presentations to the USSA high-performance committee, followed by one-on-one sessions with head coaches and the swimming committee,' Kotze said. 'Now that the team have been selected, the real work begins.' She praised the support received from USSA. 'There's a dedicated team we can turn to at any time. Their support has been invaluable. It really does take a village.' Kotze will work alongside coaches Marco Markgraaff, from Kovsies, and Keenan Riffel, of Tuks, both of whom were also part of the 2023 delegation. 'The three of us know each other well and work seamlessly together. 'That strong team dynamic makes a huge difference when you're competing on the world stage.' — Full Stop Communications
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: A flailing and bobbing rocket, Bayanda Walaza is on the rise
This season, 19-year-old Walaza has already secured a gold medal at the World Relays and twice broken the SA junior 100m record. Bayanda Walaza in action for Tshwane University of Technology at the USSA national student championships in Pretoria earlier this month. Picture: Cecilia van Bers/Gallo Images When I first saw Bayanda Walaza run, my initial thought was 'this kid isn't gonna make it'. His raw talent was clear, but in every other way, he was all wrong. When Walaza hits top speed, his arms start flailing and his head begins bobbing, and he doesn't display anything you want to see in a sprinter. But one thing I've learned from watching Walaza run is that technique can be deceptive. The 19-year-old prodigy is super quick out the blocks, and when he hits his stride he is bizarrely efficient. Last season he won a historic 100m/200m double at the World U20 Championships and helped the SA 4x100m relay team earn the silver medal at the Paris Olympics. Future star? However, raw talent only takes an athlete so far, and the reality is that most junior stars don't make it at senior level. So coming into the 2025 season, I expected Walaza to hit a plateau and ultimately vanish into obscurity, as so many do. Oh how glad I am, at least on this occasion, to have been proved wrong. Opting not to fiddle too much with Walaza's style, his coach Thabo Matebedi seems to have made a wise decision by allowing him to run naturally. If Walaza was great last year, this season he has been spectacular. Superb season thus far Already in 2025, he has formed part of the quartet who won gold in the 4x100m final at the World Athletics Relays, and he has twice broken the SA junior 100m record, lowering the mark to 9.94 in Zagreb at the weekend (just 0.05 outside the world U20 record). It might seem premature to suggest he could be the next global sprinting superstar, but Walaza's early progress has been impressive, and he is remarkably consistent. Both a polite young man and a ball of raging energy, he also has the character to become a crowd favourite across the world, and he could be a wonderful ambassador for our country. How he does it, with flailing arms and a bobbing head, is far less important than what he does, and Walaza already has the medals and records to show he has what it takes.
