“Women Should Be Celebrated Every Month” — gsport Awards Finalist Colleen McAusland
Award-winning boxing manager Colleen McAusland says being recognised among South Africa’s leading women in sport is a tremendous honour, but believes the work of female athletes and administrators deserves far greater recognition beyond Women’s Month.
McAusland, founder of McAusland Boxing Management, has been named a finalist in the Woman of the Year category at the 2026 gsport Awards, which honours women who have made a significant contribution to the growth of sport in South Africa.
The prestigious awards ceremony will be held in Johannesburg this Saturday, marking 20 years of celebrating women in South African sport across 20 public-nominated categories.
McAusland is nominated alongside Buhle Vaphi, Cricket South Africa’s Manager of Mass Participation, and Luitha Roux, an accomplished gymnastics coach, in one of the event’s most prestigious categories.
A Recognition She Doesn’t Take Lightly
McAusland’s nomination reflects years of dedication to South African boxing, where she has built a reputation for developing champions while creating opportunities for women in a sport that continues to battle limited sponsorship, inadequate funding and a lack of mainstream exposure.
Beyond producing title-winning fighters, she has also used boxing to empower vulnerable and abused girls, helping them rebuild confidence and self-worth through the discipline of the sport.
Speaking exclusively to SizaNazo365, McAusland described being named a gsport Awards finalist as one of the proudest moments of her career.
“To be nominated as a finalist is an absolute honour because there are so many amazing women doing incredible things across all sporting codes. I don’t take it lightly because every single woman is deserving of this recognition.
“Especially for me in a male-dominated sport, it’s not easy. You have to work extra hard to earn recognition and gain the respect of your male colleagues.”
Calling for Year-Round Recognition
While the gsport Awards are staged during Women’s Month, McAusland believes celebrating women only in August is not enough.
She argues that female athletes, particularly boxers, deserve equal opportunities and recognition throughout the year.
“I think women should be celebrated every month. If I look specifically at our female boxers, they’re most active during August because it’s really the only time they get to earn money, and that’s their job. But they’re forgotten during the other months.
“For me, we need to be celebrated every month to have equal playing fields in a male-dominated sport.”
Boxing manager Colleen McAusland (right) with one of her boxers Simangele “Smash” Hadebe (Image: Supplied)
Sponsorship Still the Biggest Obstacle
Despite consistently producing champions, McAusland says securing sponsorship remains the biggest challenge facing female boxing in South Africa.
In addition to managing her fighters’ careers, she often provides emotional support, accommodation and assistance in finding commercial partners to keep their careers alive.
McAusland believes companies are overlooking an opportunity to partner with athletes who embody professionalism and discipline.
“It’s very difficult for females to get sponsorships, and I don’t know why. Most of our girls are disciplined and such good brand ambassadors. Any company that sponsors them would benefit because they’re excellent ambassadors for whoever supports them.”
Building Champions On and Off the Canvas
McAusland Boxing Management has produced several South African and continental champions, including:
Smangele Hadebe – South African, ABU and WBO Africa Flyweight champion.
Bonita van Jaarsveld – South African Lightweight champion.
Monica Mkandla – ABU SADC Bantamweight champion.
Bernice Ferreira – South African Junior Lightweight champion.
Another milestone awaits the stable this weekend when Hadebe faces Owethu Rula for the vacant WBF Flyweight title at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World on Saturday.
Regardless of whether she wins the gsport Woman of the Year award, McAusland’s impact is already evident. Through championship success, mentorship and advocacy, she continues to champion not only the growth of boxing but also greater opportunities for women determined to succeed in one of South Africa’s toughest sporting environments.