Cricket Namibia celebrated a year of exceptional achievement, growth, and service at the 2026 Cricket Namibia Annual Awards held at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground. The prestigious event brought together players, coaches, administrators, volunteers, officials, sponsors, government representatives, and members of the cricket fraternity to honour the individuals and teams who have contributed to the continued success of Namibian cricket during the 2025/26 season.
The evening was attended by Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Hon. Dr. Dino Ballotti, who delivered the keynote address, alongside several distinguished guests from government, sport, and the private sector.
The awards recognised excellence across every level of the Cricket Namibia pathway, from grassroots development growth and school cricket to domestic competitions and the national teams.
Among the standout performances in the domestic club competitions, ATG WHS Old Boys dominated the Premier League individual awards. Louren Steenkamp was named T20 Premier League Top Batter after scoring 332 runs, while teammate Adriaan Coetzee claimed the T20 Premier League Top Bowler award with 13 wickets. In the 50-Over Premier League, Malan Kruger finished as the leading batter with 403 runs, while Coetzee completed a remarkable season by also finishing as the competition’s top bowler with 13 wickets.
Individual coaching excellence was also celebrated during the evening. Keith Kondo of Gobabis Cricket Club was named Club Coach of the Year after guiding the club to multiple league successes, including winning the T20 First Division and securing promotion in both the T20 and 40-over competitions. Kondo was also recognised as School Coach of the Year after leading his school side from struggling contenders to champions.
The evening also celebrated the success of Namibia’s thriving youth cricket structures. Awards were presented to winners and standout performers in the Junior Club, Nashua Junior Franchise, National Sixes, Prosperita Health T20 National Schools League, and National Schools Week competitions, recognising the next generation of Namibian cricketers progressing through the Cricket Namibia pathway.
A special focus was placed on the achievements of the Ashburton Kwata Cricket Programme, Cricket Namibia’s flagship grassroots initiative and former ICC Development Programme of the Year winner. Teachers, coaches, administrators, development officers and volunteers from across Namibia were recognised for their unwavering commitment to introducing thousands of children to the game. Many of the teachers honoured on the evening travel long distances, volunteer countless hours, and dedicate themselves to growing cricket in their communities. Their passion, commitment, and belief in the power of sport continue to create opportunities for young Namibians and strengthen the foundations of cricket throughout the country.
The event also celebrated Cricket Namibia’s recent success on the international stage after being named the ICC Africa Regional Winner in two prestigious ICC Development Award categories: the Digital Fan Engagement Initiative of the Year and the Female Cricket Initiative of the Year. Both initiatives have subsequently been nominated for ICC Global Awards, further highlighting Namibia’s growing reputation as a leader in cricket development and innovation.
Several officials and support staff were recognised for their invaluable contributions to the game. Cricket Namibia Head Curator Tuhafeni Erastus received the Groundsman of the Year Award after another outstanding year preparing and maintaining world-class playing surfaces. His work earned widespread praise during international events, including the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and matches hosted at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground.
One of the most emotional moments of the evening was the posthumous presentation of the Administrator of the Year Award to the late Thalia Louw, who passed away earlier this year. For more than 15 years, Louw served as the heartbeat of Wanderers Cricket Club, contributing as an administrator, scorer, mentor, and founding Chairperson of the Namibian Scorers Association. Her award was received by her family in recognition of a lifetime dedicated to cricket and service to others.
The evening also honoured several individuals whose dedication has helped shape Namibian cricket over many decades. Cricket Namibia Board Member Trevor Britten was presented with the Cricket Namibia Lifetime Honorary Member Award in recognition of a lifetime devoted to the game as a player, coach, selector, administrator, mentor, and servant of Namibian cricket. His influence has been felt across generations of players and throughout numerous cricketing communities around the country.
A special long-service recognition award was presented to Cricket Namibia Team Manager Hestelle Spies for more than ten years of dedicated service to the organisation. Having progressed from Youth Coordinator to Team Manager, Spies has become an integral part of Cricket Namibia’s operations, playing a key role in the management and logistics of the men’s, women’s, and under-19 national teams, as well as numerous international events hosted in Namibia.
The national team awards formed a fitting climax to the evening. The Capricorn Eagles women’s national team players were recognised for their outstanding performances during a year that saw Namibia’s women continue to inspire young girls across the country. Yasmeen Khan claimed both the Capricorn Eagles Batter of the Year and Player of the Year awards, while Saima Tuhadeleni was named Bowler of the Year. Leigh-Marie Visser received the Most Improved Player Award, while Eveleen Kejarukua was voted Players’ Player of the Year.
The FNB Eagles men’s national team were also honoured following another memorable year for Namibian cricket. JJ Smit was named T20 International Player of the Year, Bernard Scholtz received the ODI Player of the Year Award, and Jan Frylinck was voted Players’ Player of the Year. Max Heingo was recognised as the Most Improved National Eagles Player.
The FNB Eagles also received the Spirit of Cricket Award following their historic victory over South Africa during the inauguration of the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground. The victory over the reigning World Test Champions remains one of the greatest moments in Namibian cricket history and symbolised the growth and ambition of the game in the country.
Speaking after the awards, Cricket Namibia Board Member, Mr. Daneel van der Walt congratulated all award recipients and thanked the players, coaches, volunteers, officials, sponsors, and partners who continue to contribute to the growth of cricket in Namibia.
The evening concluded with a celebration of the collective efforts of the entire cricket community and served as a reminder of how far the game has progressed in Namibia. As Cricket Namibia continues its journey towards becoming a globally competitive, inclusive, and values-driven sporting organisation, the achievements recognised at the 2026 Annual Awards stand as an inspiration for the future.
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