Euginia March is a glowing example of the benefits of a healthy mind in a healthy body.

Almost 20 years ago, she was instrumental in establishing the NWU Staff Sports Club in Mahikeng, and today she is still working tirelessly to encourage staff to participate.

“Ous March” as she is affectionately known, says her wish is to see the club grow.

“If we can get more members from the Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark campuses, we can promote small inter-NWU sports events. We can even build stronger teams for the Southern African Staff Sports Association (SAUSSA) tournaments,” she says.

This year, the SAUSSA tournament will be held at the University of Limpopo from 9 to 15 December and the NWU will be sending a netball and a soccer team to compete.

Ous March, who is the Staff Sports Club’s public relations officer, says she is excited about the introduction of golf as a sporting code. To date, sporting codes played include chess, netball, pool, soccer and volleyball.

Money matters

Although the university management has been supportive of the Staff Sports Club, it relies on fundraising. Not surprisingly, Ous March is good at that too. In July this year, she raised much-needed funds during a mini-fundraising tournament, which the NWU won.

“We are extremely grateful to our vice-chancellor Prof Dan Kgwadi for his unwavering support. The club will never forget the impromptu trip he took to Namibia a few years back. He hosted a surprise gala dinner for club members who were participating in that county,” recalls Ous March.

“Staff must please join us. Remember, a healthy body promotes a healthy mind. I believe the club has contributed positively over the years to staff wellness through sport. Members are also able to interact and share experiences with staff from other institutions of higher learning.”

How to join

There is a R150 once-off joining fee and a monthly fee of R50 (subject to a possible increase from 2019). For more information, call Ous March on (018) 389 2155 or the treasurer Kaone Gwai on (018) 389 2478.

With the club’s 20th anniversary coming up next year, Ous March has one wish: “To have NWU management set aside Wednesdays as official sports days. This is likely to improve staff wellness over time as it may help them to get rid of stress.”