It is a privilege for me to write the first of these Wednesday Columns regarding UJ Sport and our partners. Firstly, allow me to welcome all the new 2012 first years to the UJ Sport family and secondly, to our loyal senior students; thank you for returning to assist UJ Sport in reaching the great heights that we achieved in 2011.
Speaking of 2011, UJ Sport experienced its best results to date during the respective USSA Competitions. UJ Sport played a total of 82 games and won 59 which amounts to UJ being victorious in 72% of all fixtures. Furthermore, UJ walked away with 9 gold medals, 9 silver medals and 6 bronze medals with 9 of the UJ teams ending victorious after their respective USSA Weeks. 2011 provides a solid platform on which to build for 2012 and with all the support from behind the scenes, UJ Sport hopes to improve and continue this successful wave into 2012.
A particular word of congratulations to the Steinhoff UJ First Women’s Football team who won the National Club Championships for the 3rd time in four years and the USSA Gauteng title for the fourth consecutive year – a few of these players will be attending the Olympics later this year which yield further opportunities at the highest level.
I was fortunate enough to be at the FNB Varsity Cup Launch this past Monday and with Rugby fever hitting the UJ Campuses, this innovative tournament continues (like UJ Sport) to set the trend. This tournament, together with RAG and the 1st year’s concert provides the University of Johannesburg the opportunity to really back their boytjies and to unite behind our boys in orange. The first team did us proud last year beating both UCT and Maties on their way to ending top of the log for the first time. 2012 will bring new challenges which based on all the hard work put in should yield rewards on the field. The 2012 instalment sees a few new additions namely the Young Guns (u20s) to go with the Varsity Cup, Varsity Shield and Steinhoff Koshuis Championship (UJ is represented for the third consecutive year by Bastions Men’s Residence). Further, a new points scoring system approved by the IRB to promote running rugby will be implemented on a trial basis with 5 points being awarded for a try, conversions receiving an allocation of 3 points, whilst penalties will only be worth 2 points.
The Varsity Cup fixtures are available on the website with our first game being away to Tukkies on the 6th of February where we will hopefully see many a proud UJ supporter donning the unmistakable orange of our beloved University Of Johannesburg.
To all the UJ student-athletes, we wish you a most successful year. With the London Olympics around the corner and the race for qualification still underway for both individuals and teams (only Football has qualified with the men’s and women’s hockey teams final qualification opportunity a few months away), UJ Sport is here to help you achieve those goals – both on and off the sports field.