The Gauteng Women in Sports Awards take place annually in Ekurhuleni, South Africa. Centred around its three main pillars of achievements, community development, and self-empowerment, the Atlas Foundation is delighted and proud to announce we won Sponsor of the Year award. Our commitment and hard work to supporting the girls at the Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute (GWRI) has seen the programme go from strength to strength.

From funding rugby boots and meals, to providing support and help to girls who have lost family members, The Atlas Foundation and the GWRI have committed to seeing the girls’ education, personal development, and opportunities grow and thrive. The most rewarding of all has been to see the way the girl’s confidence has flourished as a result of the programme, with many pursuing careers in physiotherapy, teaching, and coaching, as well as giving back to the programme as young leaders. Most recently, 2 girls were selected for the Junior Women Springboks and are paving the way for more to follow.

The Atlas Foundation is equally proud of the Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute who were the winners of Project of the Year award. It is a thoroughly earned award and particular deservedness is extended to head coach, Jaco Coetzer, who’s personal commitment to women’s sport and equal opportunity has been the backbone for driving the success of the GWRI.

The project has been stable and consistent for the girl’s it supports, and The Atlas Foundation looks forward to seeing how women’s opportunity in sport and beyond will continue to thrive as a result of the GWRI’s programmes and The Atlas Foundation’s support.