Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 125, December 2019 | Page 36

ADVERTORIAL
Recognition for
Outstanding Individuals
Highlights on the night included the awarding of the Leadership in Sports
Business award, sponsored by Engen, to Francois Pienaar. He played for the
Springboks from 1993 until 1996, winning 29 international caps while captain, and
is best known for leading South Africa to victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
In 2003, he founded the Make a Difference (MAD) Leadership Scholarship
Programme, to produce the country’s next generation of young leaders.
Annelee Murray
Francois
Pienaar
‘Hardest Working
Springbok’ Takes
Personality Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Sue Destombes, who has been the
Secretary General at COSAFA (the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations)
for the past five years. Sue’s career has spanned more than 40 years, primarily in
marketing and event management in the soccer industry, and she was hand-picked
by FIFA to act as a mentor in their Female Leadership Development Programme.
Sue has worked tirelessly to promote women in football and was instrumental in
bringing back the COSAFA Women’s Championship, as well as securing funding for
the tournament, despite lack of sponsor interest.
The Personality of the Year, awarded
to someone who has had a memorable
year in the local sport industry and who
has raised the profile of the industry in
a manner that demonstrates innovation,
leadership and business acumen, was
given to Annelee Murray. She has been
involved in rugby for the past 20 years,
19 of which as the PR Manager for the
Springboks.
Annelee has been an integral part of the
team since 2000, and has been with them
through 225 test matches, seven coaches
and 15 captains. She is often referred
to as the hardest working Springbok,
which is testament to the passion and
dedication with which she approaches
a job that takes her away from home for
over seven months of the year.
As a woman working in a male-
dominated environment, she has gained
the utmost respect of her peers and has inspired many other women seeking
a career in the sports industry. From assisting with media queries and ensuring
that all commercial interests and PR for the team run smoothly, to taking care
of the logistical arrangements of the players off the field as well as that of their
partners, there is never a dull moment in her work.
Sue Destombes
The Sports Person’s Lifetime
Community Award, sponsored this
year by Tshikululu Social Investments,
is presented to an individual with a
minimum of 20 years of significant
philanthropic contribution to
community and sports development.
This year this prestigious award was
awarded to Morné Du Plessis. A
member of the International Rugby
Hall of Fame, Morné is the owner and
director of Sports Plan. Among its
achievements is the establishment
and management of the Sports
Science Institute of South Africa with
Tim Noakes, and the Bioenergetics
of Exercise Research Unit at the
ISSUE 125 DECEMBER 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
University of Cape Town.
Morné Du Plessis
36
She says that watching young players enter the Springbok camp, and helping
to develop them into proudly South African brand ambassadors is what keeps
her in the game. Of course, her greatest moments include winning the Rugby
World Cup in both 2007 and 2019, as well as the British and Irish Lions series
in South Africa in 2009 – and she adds that she still gets goosebumps when
singing the National Anthem before a Test.