gsport has officially opened nominations for the 20th Annual gsport Awards, launching a milestone celebration of two decades of recognising and celebrating women in sport across South Africa and, since 2020, impacting Africa, in Johannesburg on Sunday, 1 June 2025.
The 2025 edition of the gsport Awards marks a significant chapter in the initiative’s journey, with this year’s campaign set to honour legacy builders, celebrate new trailblazers, and reflect on the growing visibility and success of women’s sport over the past two decades.
“This year, we’re not only recognising excellence, we’re honouring the long road that’s brought us here.”
gsport Founder, Kass Naidoo
“Opening nominations for our 20th awards season is an emotional and historic moment for us, and we’re calling on South Africans to help us shine the spotlight on the women and organisations making sport more equal.”
On Saturday, 31 May, a private #gsport20 Gratitude Lunch took place at women-empowered French bistro, Liberté, in Johannesburg, the first in a series of intimate gatherings that will run throughout the #gsport20 campaign. The inaugural lunch included women whose contributions helped build gsport since its founding in 2006.
“We wanted to start this year not with a big announcement, but with a thank you,” said Naidoo. “We believe that gratitude builds legacy, and the gsport20 campaign will be as much about reflection as it is about recognition.”
Nominations for the 2025 gsport Awards are open to the public and can be submitted at gsport.co.za from 1 June to 30 June 2025.
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Members of the public are encouraged to nominate individuals, teams, and organisations driving progress for women in sport across a range of categories (SEE BELOW), along with relevant eligibility criteria.
Nominations Form for the 2025 gsport Awards
About gsport
Launched in 2006, gsport is South Africa’s leading platform for women in sport. Through its news service, awards programme, and advocacy work, gsport has created a trusted space for recognition, celebration, and storytelling, inspiring the next generation of sportswomen and industry leaders.
20 Categories Open for Public Nominations
Athlete of the Year
A South African sportswoman who has excelled at an international level during the Year under Review (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
Para Sport Star
A South African Para Athlete who has excelled at an international or national level during the Year under Review (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
Emerging Athlete of the Year
An emerging sportswoman over the age of 18, who has excelled at an international or national level during the Year under Review. It honours the rising stars to inspire them to sporting greatness (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
School Sports Star of the Year
A young girl in sport 18 years or under, who has excelled athletically. She is seen as a role model to the youth and is on her way to greatness. The focus is on personal improvement alongside outstanding achievement during the Year under Review (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
Team of the Year
A team of South African sportswomen of any age, who have excelled as a unit during the Year under Review (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
Coach of the Year
A coach (any gender) who has made a significant impact on women’s sport during the Year under Review and is actively involved in growing the careers of South Africa’s leading sportswomen (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
Woman of the Year
A formidable woman who contributes significantly to the growth of sport in South Africa and leads the way in breaking boundaries and opening doors for other women (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
African Woman in Sport
This award honours a woman who is impacting sport in Africa, going the extra mile to raise the profile of women’s sport on the continent (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
Global Woman in Sport
This award honours a woman who is impacting sport globally, going the extra mile to put women’s sport on the map internationally (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
Woman in PR and Sponsorship
A woman in the public relations and sponsorship space who works to build the brand and business of women’s sport during the Year under Review (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
Woman in Print
A woman print and/or photographic journalist who is excelling in her environment and using her position to create powerful journalistic content about SA women in sport during the Year under Review (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
Woman in Radio
A woman in sport who is using her voice to promote women’s sport content on radio and demonstrates a convincing edge as a radio journalist during the Year under Review (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
Woman in Television
A woman who has successfully broken into the male-dominated world of sports TV and also uses her platform to create powerful content about SA women in sport during the Year under Review (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
Woman in Social Media
A woman who creates powerful online content about SA women in sport and demonstrates a convincing edge using social media during the Year under Review (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
Style Star of the Year
A vibrant South African woman in sport who has become synonymous with a leading sense of style and elegance and serves as an inspiration to all women in sport who aspire to grow and build powerful personal brands.
Volunteer of the Year
Volunteers are the backbone of amateur sport, and this long-serving individual (any gender) selflessly gives their time and resources to help raise the profile of women’s sport in South Africa (Once-in-a-Lifetime Award).
Supporter of the Year
An individual (any gender) who goes out of their way to fuel the success of our sportswomen by pulling their weight to ensure that their favourite athlete gets across the line (Once-in-a-Lifetime Award).
Special Recognition
An individual (any gender) who goes beyond the call of duty and has made a long and positive impact on SA women in sport (Once-in-a-Lifetime Award).
Sponsor of the Year
A commercial sponsor who has exceeded its competitors in supporting women’s sport during the Year under Review (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
Federation of the Year
A sports federation that has made the greatest strides to grow women’s sport commercially, and to include women in leadership positions (30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025).
Main Photo Caption: gsport has officially opened nominations for the 20th Annual gsport Awards, launching a milestone celebration of two decades of recognising and celebrating women in sport across South Africa and, since 2020, impacting Africa, in Johannesburg on Sunday, 1 June 2025. All Photos: Musivhuli Muavha / gsport
Photo 2 Caption: 2023 Woman in PR and Sponsorship Award winner Emy Casaletti-Bwalya smiles with Lenah Sithole, COO of Worldwide Sports, 2017 Special Recognition winner.
Photo 3 Caption: 2007 gsport Hall of Fame inductee Hazel Gumede pictured with 2023 Woman in Television Award winner, Vusiwe Ngcobo.
