It was a night to remember for South African tennis as Tennis South Africa (TSA) General Manager, Anthony Moruthane, was awarded the Sport Administrator of the Year at the 19th South African Sport Awards at Sun City on Sunday evening.
For Moruthane, the award is an individual achievement, but the moment belongs to the wider TSA family. His win capped a significant night for TSA, which entered this year’s awards with three nominations across major categories: Sport Administrator of the Year, National Federation of the Year, and Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability, for wheelchair tennis star Kgothatso Montjane.
The recognition places tennis firmly among South Africa’s leading sporting codes, with TSA’s nominations highlighting the strength of the organization both on and off the court.
Following his win, Sanelisiwe Mhlati, the Marketing & Events Manager caught up with Anthony Moruthane to talk about the moment his name was called, the people behind the achievement and what comes next for Tennis South Africa.
TSA received three nominations tonight across administration, federation excellence and para-sport. What does that say about where South African tennis is right now?
I think it says that South African tennis is in a very positive space. We have been very intentional about growing the game, improving how we operate as a federation, creating more opportunities for players and ensuring that tennis becomes increasingly accessible to South Africans from all backgrounds.
For me, the three nominations are recognition of the collective effort of everyone within the South African tennis ecosystem.
Anthony, be honest when they called your name, what was going through your mind? Did you believe it?
When they said my name, there was probably a second where I was thinking, “Did they really just say Anthony Moruthane?”
Then the emotion kicked in. I immediately thought about the journey, the people who have believed in me, my family and the incredible team I work with every day.
I love what I do, and I’ve never done it expecting individual recognition, so to be named Sport Administrator of the Year is incredibly humbling and something I will cherish for a very long time.
If you had to describe tonight in three words, what would they be?
Humbling. Emotional. Unforgettable.
Humbling because of the calibre of people and organizations recognized tonight; emotional because I know the journey and sacrifices behind this moment; and unforgettable because this is one of those nights I will remember for the rest of my life.
There’s always a team behind the person holding the trophy. Who are your “we did this together” people?
There are so many.
Firstly, our President, Gavin Crookes, our Board and the entire Tennis South Africa team. I have an incredible team of staff around me who work extremely hard, often behind the scenes and without recognition. This award belongs to them as much as it belongs to me.
It also belongs to our provincial associations, districts, clubs, coaches, officials, volunteers and players. A national federation is only as strong as the people delivering the sport every day across the country.
Our sponsors and partners also deserve enormous credit. Their belief and investment allow us to turn many of our ideas into reality.
And then there is my family. My wife, Lerato, has been incredibly supportive through the long hours, travelling, weekends and demands that come with this job. Having recently become a father has also given me a completely different perspective on purpose and legacy.
There may be one person holding the trophy, but there are many fingerprints on it.
Now that you’ve got the trophy… what’s next? What’s the next big thing you want TSA to achieve?
The trophy doesn’t change the job – if anything, it raises the standard.
Our ambition is to build a stronger and more sustainable Tennis South Africa and to make tennis one of the most accessible and successful sporting codes in the country.
Ultimately, I want us to reach a point where a talented child, regardless of where they come from, can pick up a racquet and genuinely believe there is a pathway for them in tennis.
As Tennis South Africa continues to build towards a new era of growth, development and greater visibility for the sport, the recognition at the South African Sport Awards provides further momentum.
Acceptance speech: https://www.instagram.com/p/