I had the privilege of engaging with student leaders at the USSA Sport Development Initiative Workshop (1 October 2026), hosted at the University of Cape Town.

Student leaders are the lifeblood of university sport. They are not only representatives of their peers, but influencers, role models and future leaders who have the ability to shape the sporting environment on their campuses and contribute meaningfully to society.

My message to them was simple: lead with purpose, integrity and courage.

University sport continues to face challenges around resources, transformation, student welfare, participation and access. But within these challenges lie opportunities — and many of the solutions will come from the young leaders in our institutions.

The workshop provided an opportunity to equip student leaders with practical tools to support student−athletes, grow participation, organise impactful programmes and contribute to making university sport more inclusive and accessible.

I also encouraged them to recognise the broader role of sport in society. Through sport, we can contribute to addressing some of the challenges facing our young people, including gender−based violence, substance abuse, discrimination and exclusion.

To every student leader who participated today: your voice matters, your leadership matters, and your actions matter.

Take what you have learnt back to your campuses. Challenge one another, build networks and become the change agents our universities and our country need.

The future of university sport is in your hands. Let us lead it with purpose, integrity and courage.