PROMISING Harare Sports Club flyhalf Teddy Hwata has set his sights on fighting for a place in the Sables and Cheetahs squads following a dream season which saw him scoop three awards at the Lion Lager National Rugby League awards ceremony on Saturday.
DANIEL NHAKANISO, SPORTS REPORTER
Hwata was named the Lion Lager National Rugby League Player of the Year, top points scorer and Backline Player of the Year.
The talented Churchill Boys High teenage prodigy who was cheered on by his mother, Faith, at the ceremony said his goal was to challenge for honours in the national XVs and 7s teams.
Hwata looks well positioned to achieve his goals after he was last week named in the Cheetahs training squad for next month’s IRB World Sevens Series tournament to be held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
“Firstly I just want to thank God for giving me the talent to play rugby. I’m very happy to have won the two awards it’s a great feeling to get the recognition, but I must say I could not have achieved this without the support of my teammates and my family.
“My goal is to continue playing well and hopefully make a contribution to the national XVs and 7s teams which has always been my dream. I was happy to be named in the training squad for the Cheetahs last week, it’s the first step and hopefully, I will make the most of the opportunity,” he said.
Hwata credited his success to the support he received from his teammates and his family.
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“The senior players in the Harare Sports Club squad like my captain Danny Hondo were always by my side to give me words of encouragement and support which helped me to express myself on the field of play.
“My mother has also been supported me and she attends most of our matches so I can say without their support I wouldn’t have received these awards,” he said. Hwata was a revelation at Harare Sports Club, despite the club’s failure to reach the final.
The diminutive defied his small frame with some standout performances due to his accuracy with the boot, his vision and passing skills.
Old Hararians coach Cyprian Mandenge, who was named the coach of the year after leading the Old Boys to the NRL title said the award was as a result of teamwork.
“I’m obviously happy to have won this award, but I couldn’t have done it by myself. I feel the award is for the whole technical team because as a coach you don’t do everything on your own and as the coaches we owe it to the players because it’s them who put their bodies on the line for the club.”
Meanwhile, Lion Lager National Rugby League chairman Noddy Kanyangarara said he was hopeful Delta Beverages would continue sponsoring the league as the three year deal which was signed in 2011 came to an end this season.
“Obviously we have come to an end of the three-year deal we had with Delta through their Lion Lager brand. Discussions started earlier in the year and we are hopeful that they will continue supporting rugby and a new sponsorship deal will be unveiled before the start of next season.”
Award winners
Player of the year — Teddy Hwata Coach of the year — Cyprian Mandenge Rookie of the year — David Makamba Most disciplined player — Daniel Hondo Back line player of the year — Teddy Hwata Forward player of the year — Lucky Sithole Top points scorer — Teddy Hwata
