{"id":21182,"date":"2013-07-17T11:55:20","date_gmt":"2013-07-17T09:55:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/uj-scores-trifecta-at-national-winter-tournaments\/"},"modified":"2013-07-17T11:55:20","modified_gmt":"2013-07-17T09:55:20","slug":"uj-scores-trifecta-at-national-winter-tournaments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/uj-scores-trifecta-at-national-winter-tournaments\/","title":{"rendered":"UJ scores trifecta at national winter tournaments"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t \"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The University of Johannesburg\u2019s RJ Liebenberg, who was named forward player of the tournament, evades a tackle in the recent USSA national student rugby championship final. UJ also took gold in the men\u2019s hockey and squash tournaments. Photo: Supplied<\/p>\n

The University of Johannesburg<\/a> scored a trifecta of wins when its men\u2019s hockey, squash and rugby teams took gold during the winter leg of the USSA national student tournaments<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The squash and hockey teams successfully defended their titles, while the rugby squad took back the laurels after winning two years ago.<\/p>\n

According to UJ Sport\u2019s senior manager for clubs Adrian Carter, the results confirm the university\u2019s position among the top performing tertiary institutions in the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s one thing to win a title but the true mark of a champion group of people comes to the fore when one defends that title.\u201d<\/p>\n

UJ, the only team not to drop a game en route to the last round, beat the University of Pretoria<\/a> 14-10 in the final of the squash championships in Port Elizabeth on July 5.<\/p>\n

On the same day, the institution overcame former rugby champions Stellenbosch University 29-16 to lift the trophy in Pretoria<\/a>, while the hockey team claimed a 3-2 victory, also over Maties<\/a>, in Cape Town.<\/p>\n

Carter said UJ participates annually in 12 of the 35 USSA sporting codes and a number of factors had led to his teams\u2019 success this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are well supported by the university from a financial perspective and with that comes the appointment of quality human resources in the form of sports managers, coaches, team managers, sports scientists and biokineticists.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of them are responsible for creating the right environment in which our student-athletes thrive both academically and on the sports field. Having the right people really goes a long way to ensuring sustainable success.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said the university advocated a balanced approach when recruiting student-athletes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe stress the point that they are here firstly to be a student and secondly an athlete; with that comes a great responsibility to manage their time and meet both their academic and sporting obligations without compromising either.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether they go on to play professionally or take part in a non-professional sport, acquiring a degree or diploma is of critical importance in the development and, ultimately, the career of an individual.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carter said being affiliated to a top institution was vital for advancing any sporting career.<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially in the South African sporting environment, the university plays a massive role in the long-term athlete development process.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne need only look at the recent success of the SA team at the world student games in Kazan (Russia) to see evidence of this fact.\u201d<\/p>\n

UJ<\/a> rower Kirsten McCann won gold in the women\u2019s lightweight single sculls event, while Kate Christowitz helped the women\u2019s coxless fours to a silver medal result.<\/p>\n

The real challenge, said Carter, was addressing the next development tier for the elite student-athletes once they leave university.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis aspect must be addressed to bring about sustainable success for South African sportsmen and women at international level.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related articles<\/h6>\n