FLOWER FOUNTAIN. Sports achievers from across the Free State were once again celebrated at the annual, glamorous Free State Sport Star Awards held at the Monte Bello Estate on Thursday evening, October 9.
This event is organized by KovsieSport, from the University of the Free State (UFS), and Novus Media, with Standard Bank as the main sponsor.
Sports stars from college to seniors are eligible for recognition; not only as winners in one of the many categories, but also to be honored for their hard work and achievements.
The well-known athlete Louzanne Coetzee, who won three medals at the Paralympic Games and was named, was this year’s keynote speaker. Coetzee won the awards as Sportswoman of the Year and Sportster of the Year last year. She encouraged all athletes to keep chasing all their dreams even when it seems impossible.
Korfball player Rolene Streutker stole the spotlight and took home three prizes: Kovsiesport Sportswoman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year and the highest award of the evening: Sportster of the Year.
Rolene has had a phenomenal season both nationally and internationally. Locally, she helped the UFS Kovsies reach the 2024 Varsity Netball Championship. In January 2025, she represented South Africa as a finalist in the Netball Nations Cup; and in September 2025 she represented the country in a series against New Zealand.
The Kovsies netball team also won the Team of the Year award.
Ernesta Strydom received the Civil Servant of the Year award. Strydom has served as a technical officer at five Paralympic Games, including her most recent stint in 2024, as well as the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Netball player Bianca Lubbe won the award as Junior Kovsiesport Sportswoman of the Year. Lubbe was part of the Crinums team that won the silver medal at the Telkom Netball Championships. She also competed in the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup where the team finished fourth.
Rugby player Erich Visser received the award for Junior Kovsiesport Sportsman of the Year. Visser played in the opening match for the Junior Springboks against Australia, where the South African team eventually became national champions.
Mthi Mthimkulu was crowned Kovsiesport Sportsman of the Year. Mthimkulu competed at the World Athletics Relay Championships in China, competing in both the men’s and mixed 4x400m relays. In September 2025, he secured a place in the national team to compete in the 4x400m relay at the World Athletics Championships.
In addition to being named Kovsiesport Sportsman of the Year, Mthimkulu also walked away with the Sportsman of the Year award.
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