She made all the right moves in all the right places and this has earned a Delft meisie three top awards.
Netball star Amirah Spannenberg, 18, was beaming with pride when she received her awards at the Cape Town Sports Awards in Pinelands on Wednesday evening.
The Grade 11 girl, who hopes to represent South Africa at the 2023 Netball World Cup to be hosted in Cape Town, says she was shocked when her name was announced three times at the awards, hosted by Sports and Recreation MEC, Anroux Marais.
Amirah Spannenberg in action. Picture supplied
“I received the award for Schools Sportswoman of the Year, Junior Sportswoman of the Year and Junior of the Year winner.
“I was so surprised, but proud because I had worked so hard. This is my dream and I would like to go higher,” the shy meisie tells the Daily Voice.
Amirah has been playing netball for the past six years.
The teen recently returned home from the under-18 Netball World Cup tournament in New Zealand where the SA team came fourth.
“My big goal now is to represent South Africa at the World Cup when it’s hosted in Cape Town in 2023,” she says.
“Two weeks ago, I went for the under-21 national trials and I made that team!”
Father Jamiel, Amirah and Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais. Picture supplied
Amirah was featured in the Daily Voice when she and her family appealed for help to raise the R40 000 she needed for the New Zealand trip.
And she balances her sports and academics.
“I practise netball three times a day, but, when I have too much school work, I only practise once as I have to give just as much attention to my schooling,” says the Bellville South High schoolgirl.
Her father, Jamiel, says his daughter has done her family, community and country proud.
“She nearly couldn’t go to New Zealand due to lack of funding, but through the grace of God and the great sponsors she could go and represent SA,” Jamiel adds.
Amirah’s message to the youth is: “Work hard towards what you want to achieve. If you really want it you can achieve it because anything is possible.”
The Daily Voice contacted MEC Marais for comment but her spokesperson said the minister was not available.