| 21-11-2002 | |
| Sports development to receive a major boost | |
| One of South Africa’s leading sporting accolades, the Jack
Cheetham Memorial Award, is set for a major revamp. The sponsor of the
award, Murray & Roberts, announced today that it has reached agreement with new
partners. the National Olympic Committee of South Africa (NOCSA and Sowetan.
As implementation partner. NOCSA will advise Murray & Roberts an the selection of a winner for the ongoing management of the award. Sowetan offers an excellent platform to position the award and communicate the empowering quaIities of sport, particularly to young people. The 2002 award, in Murray & Roberts’ centenary year, will target development sports project designated sporting codes, focusing on individuals or teams that have the potential to be champions. The scope of the award has been broadened to emphasize sustainable development in sport and is not limited to sports administration. The prize money has been increased to R 100 000. |
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(From left) Sean Flanagan, Executive Director of Murray & Roberts , Mike Tisson, MD of Sowetan, Lyndon Barends CEO of NOCSA, signing Jack Cheetham partnership agreements in Johannesburg. |
| Much of the prize money will be allocated to coaching clinics for
both players and coaches in the winning project.
“With the expansion of sport into the professional and financial arenas, Murray & Roberts believes that the award had become too limited. To ensure sustainability, the award will not be made as a once-off contribution. Rather, we intend to have a series of interventions in the designated sports with the possibility of ongoing support through our corporate social involvement programmes says Brian Bruce, group chief executive of Murray & Roberts. Lyndon Barends, chief executive officer of NOCSA says: “NOCSA is proud of the role it can play in recognising great achievement and leadership in the sporting arena as a whole and particularly within the development arena. Many of our affiliated sporting bodies have wonderful projects - it is great to be able to reward them accordingly.” Sydney Matlhaku, Associate Editor of Sowetan says: “Sowetan is delighted to be associated with this Award. We have a proud history of partnering corporates in development projects that enhance the lives of many South Africans. We believe that the Jack Cheetham Award, in its current form, and Murray & Roberts, will make a significant contribution to development in sport in South Africa.” The Jack Cheetham Memorial award was initiated 21 years ago to recognise
contribution to development in sport, with the focus on sports administration.
The award was previously The award was originally set up in recognition of the special qualities of Jack Cheetham, the inspirational captain of the South African cricket team in the 1950s. “As a leader, Jack Cheetham was able to instill in people the belief that they could win. This quality, combined with excellent skills and sportsmanship, was also evident in his career. From a foundation of engineering, he rose rapidly through the ranks to become a director of Murray & Roberts, again displaying his abilility to create a winning culture. We celebrate these special qualities that live on in the recipients of Jack Cheetham Memorial award,” says Bruce. This year’s award will be made on Thursday, 28 November, 2002, at the Wanderers Sports Club, Johannesburg. Previous Recipients of the Jack Cheetham Memorial Award 2001 Khaya Majola (Posthumous Award)
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