Rugby
Boks congratulate Natalie
2010-03-11 08:05
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Cape Town - The Springboks have congratulated South African swimmer Natalie du Toit and Britain's Brawn GP Formula One team who were crowned Laureus Sports Awards' winners at a gala ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday evening.
Du Toit was named Disabled Sportsperson of the Year whilst Brawn GP were named Team of the Year, the category in which the Springboks were also nominated.
Other nominees in the Team of the Year category were FC Barcelona, the German Women’s football team, the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team and the New York Yankees baseball team.
The Springboks won the Team of the Year Award in 2008 following their triumph in the Rugby World Cup in France during 2007.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, who attended the Awards ceremony along with players Bakkies Botha, Jean de Villiers and BJ Botha, said Du Toit and Brawn, as well as all other winners on the night were deserving winners of the their awards.
“Congratulations to Natalie, who as a disabled athlete has shown that she has the guts and determination to take on the world's best, be they disabled or able bodied. Her attitude should be an inspiration to us all.
“For Brawn GP, the Team of the Year accolade is due recognition for their achievements during 2009, which saw them produce a World Champion. They were up against some very strong competition, including the Springboks, in the category but are truly deserving of the Award. All the other winners deserve congratulations for being nominated amongst the world's best in their respective categories,” De Villiers said.
The Bok coach added that he remained proud of the Springboks’ nomination. “To be nominated for a second time in three years and amongst such illustrious company was fantastic and shows that hard work earns rewards. Our focus, however, remains on the challenges ahead and is geared towards doing ourselves justice at the Rugby World Cup in 2011.”
The Springboks were nominated for their achievements during 2009, which included a hard-fought 2-1 series victory over the British & Irish Lions and a convincing win in the Vodacom Tri-Nations that saw them win five out of their six Tests, including three wins over arch foe New Zealand.
Other former winners of the Award are the Chinese Olympic team (2009), Italian men’s soccer team (2007), Renault Formula One team (2006), Greek men’s soccer team (2005), England rugby team (2004), Brazil men’s soccer team (2003), Australian cricket team (2002), French men’s soccer team (2001) and Manchester United (2000).
The Laureus World Sports Awards is the premier global sports awards honouring the greatest sportsmen and women across all sports each year.
The winners are selected by a jury comprising the 46 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy. The Awards are presented at an annual Awards Ceremony attended by global figures from sport and entertainment, which is broadcast to 100 countries and territories.