Stellenbosch University
Welcome to Stellenbosch University
15 Maties Parasport Club members to represent SA in Rio
Author: Pia Nänny
Published: 19/07/2016

​A total of 15 members of the Maties Parasport Club were included in the SA Paralympic team that was announced on Tuesday, 19 July. The Paralympic Games will take place in Brazil from 7-18 September.

Among them are five SU students: Four in the Faculty of Education and one in the Faculty of Law. They are Anruné Liebenberg (athletics), Charl du Toit (athletics), Dyan Buis (athletics), Roxy Burns (cycling) and Hendri Herbst (swimming).

The athletes are based in Stellenbosch and are part of the same training squad as Maties alumni Ilse Hayes, who has already won five medals at three different Paralympic Games, and Arnu Fourie and Fanie van der Merwe, who will both participate in their third Paralympic Games.

"I feel very blessed and grateful to represent South Africa in my fourth Paralympic Games," said Hayes.

Two Maties field athletes – the Paralympic veteran Zanele Situ and javelin thrower Reinhardt Hamman – were also included in the team.

Well-known wheelchair athlete and Maties alumnus Ernst van Dyk will not only be participating in his seventh Paralympic Games but has also been selected for two different sports: athletics (wheelchair) and cycling (handcycling). 

Other members of the Maties Parasport Club included in the team for Rio 2016 are Craig Ridgard, Justine Asher and Goldy Fuchs (also cyclists) and Achmat Hassiem (swimmer).

The team consists of 44 members.

Three local coaches, Dr Suzanne Ferreira, Dr Karin Hugo and Karin le Roux, will accompany them.

Wentzel Barnard, manager of the Maties Parasport Club, was pleasantly surprised about the number of Maties included in the team.

"I believe they will be exceptional ambassadors for Maties and South Africa and I think we can expect some great results."

Ilhaam Groenewald, Chief Director: Maties Sport, congratulated each athlete included in the team.

"It is a fantastic reward for these athletes, cyclists and swimmers who have prepared for this opportunity with dedication and perseverance for many years. We are proud of them and wish them all the best."

Photo: Training partners Charl du Toit and Fanie van der Merwe in action.