The South African Wrestling Federation made history over the weekend when the final member of their new Executive was selected. Jeanne-Marie Coetser is the first female VP in the federation’s history. The 29 year finished high school in 2004 and moved on to the university of Johannesburg where she completed a BCom in economics and econometric, and more recently a Cumlaude Honours in sports Management. Her involvement in wrestling started at the age of 15; she is still active on the mat as a wrestler as well as a coach. She has represented SAWF at an international level since 2007, competing at Continental Championships, All African Championships, Commonwealth Games and Wold Championships. Jeanne can add various medals at international level to her name with the silver at the All African Games in 2015 as her pride and joy. She worked herself up as a coach and is currently a provincial instructor at Eastern Gauteng Wrestling.
From the start she has been an advocate and ambassador for the sport of wrestling. In her research project; “The status of women’s Olympic wrestling in the context of South Africa”; Jeanne took another step towards bringing women’s wrestling into the spotlight. She has been a constant advocate for breaking down the stereotypes about women in our sport, and has been working closely with others in trying to increase the number of female athletes participating in Olympic wrestling.
Over the years Jeanne has participated in a variety of different sports including Judo; where she received her North West colors and came second at SAs in 1997. She has a green belt in Karate, came first at SAs in 1997 and between 2005 and 2006 she taught Karate at Nursery schools. In kickboxing she came second at the WAKO world junior championships in 1998 and had achieved a black belt in kickboxing under the IKF and WAKO at the age of 16. Her participation in the sport of boxing from the age of 12 was also pioneering and brought about a number of first for woman boxers in South Africa.
Not only is she the first woman to be elected as the SAWFs Vice President but she is also the first woman to be elected to the executive committee. Jeanne-Marrie is many things; she is an athlete, a coach, a role model, an advocate for change, but more importantly she is an inspiration to other female athletes. With development as her main portfolio in her new position, she has her work cut out for her, a challenge she welcomes with open arms.
Executive Management 2017-2020
Honorary President – Jannie Taljaard
President – Sakkie Bosse
Vice-President – Charles Villet
Vice-President – Corrie Van Der Walt
Vice-President – Jeanne-Marie Coetser
Secretary-General – Manie van den Berg
Treasurer – Shaun Bartlett
Assistant to the Treasurer and Secretary General – Monine Smith
Chairperson of the Officials’ Council – Willem Giliomee
Chairperson of the Coaches’ Council – Nico Coetzee
Chairperson of the HSS Council – Arnold Germishuizen
Chairperson of the Team Managers’ Council – Michael Luff
Chairperson of the Media and Marketing Committee – Gussie Bartlett
Members of the Officials’ Council 2017-2018
Vice Chairperson – Herman Lourens
Secretary – Gawie de Beer
Additional Member – Elize Grobler
Additional Member – Johan Smith
Additional Member – Danie de Wet
Additional Member – Charles Villet
Members of the Coaches’ Council 2017-2018
Vice Chairperson – Bennie Labuschagne
Secretary – Esta van Zyl
Additional Member – Tubby van den Heever
Additional Member – Gertjie van der Merwe
Additional Member – Reinhard Bosse
Additional Member – Marius Geldenhuys
Additional Member – Markus Dekker
Additional Member – Hansie Kruger
Members of the HSS Council 2017-2018
Vice Chairperson – Makkie van der Merwe
Secretary – Pieter van Blerk
Additional Member – Fred Brewis
Additional Member – Ben Visagie
Members of the Team Mangers’ Council 2017-2018
Vice Chairperson – Hein Els
Secretary – Irene Schutte
Additional Member – Dirk Booysen
Additional Member – Lizzy de Wet
Additional Member – Marcel de Wit
Additional Member – Dalene Sandenbergh
Members of the Admin Council 2017-2018
Vice Chairperson – Gussie Bartlett
Secretary – Lollie van den Berg
Additional Member – Alet Steenberg
Additional Member – Festa de Beer
Legal Advisor to the SAWF
Adv Pieter van der Schyff
Medical Advisor to the SAWF
Dr Francois Visser
Life Long Honorary Members
Johan du Plessis
Callie Calitz
Ronnie van Rooyen
Dirkie Kotze
Sarel Steyn
Sarel Bester
Hennie Westraat
Sarel Smit
Cobus Minnaar
