3 September 2018 – SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan has praised Australia-bound Banyana Banyana midfielder Refiloe Jane for winning the Sportswoman of the Year honours at the Gauteng Sports Awards gala dinner on Sunday.

Jane together with teammate Rhoda Mulaudzi recently earned year long professional contracts with Canberra United after passing trials with the Australian giants two weeks ago.

“Things are getting better and better for Jane.  This has been a fantastic year for her and her Banyana Banyana side.

“She recently earned a good contract with an Australian side, led Banyana Banyana in qualifying for the CAF Women Africa Cup of Nations and now has won the Gauteng Sportswoman of the Year Award. What a year she has had,” said the SAFA President.

“I would like to take this opportunity to extend my utmost congratulations to her and her teammates.”

Jane was scheduled to have left for Canberra last Wednesday but stayed behind to take part in the forthcoming COSAFA Cup tournament which will take place in Port Elizabeth next week.

Jane played a pivotal role in Banyana Banyana winning the COSAFA Cup last year in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and led the Senior Women’s National Team when they qualified for the AWCON.

Soon after, she flew with Mulaudzi to Australia where the two impressed the Canberra United coach who awarded the two with year-long contracts which are renewable.

“More and more of our girls are really raising their hands when it comes to professional performance and Jane is among those rising stars.

“Such accolades can only benefit the nation and I hope her achievements this year alone can motivate other girls to realise that you can be a superstar in this sport,” added the SAFA President. “Football among women is the fastest growing sport in the country and the whole world and Jane’s achievement will further catapult this phenomenal growth.”

Jane shared the award with cricket great Kagiso Rabada who won the Sportsman of the Year Award.