Welwitchias sweep the boards

Namibian's national rugby team, coach and players cleaned up at the Namibian Sports Commission awards held in Windhoek at the weekend.

The Namibian Rugby Union walked away with five major awards – including Namibia's Sports Team of the Year.

The Welwitchias were named the country's sports team of 2014 after qualifying for next year's World Cup in England.

This was the fifth consecutive time the Welwitchias had qualified for the game's showpiece, a feat unprecedented in Namibian sport.

They booked their place at the 2015 World Cup, coming back from a  defeat in their opening match at the African qualification tournament in Madagascar in July.

The Namibian Under-19 team was also nominated in this category after they won the Confederation of African Rugby's tournament hosted in Windhoek in September this year to qualify for the IRB Junior Trophy competition in Portugal next year.

Senior national team coach Danie Vermeulen was named Namibia's Coach of the Year, following his major contribution in the Welwitchias campaign to qualify for the 2015 World Cup.

Vermeulen shared the award with boxing trainer Michael Hamukwaya.

Welwitchias loose forward Renaldo Bothma received the award as the Most Improved Athlete of the year.

The 25-year old Bothma made his debut for Namibia at the African qualification tournament – where he scored four tries in Namibia's 89-10 win over a Madagascar, the win secured Namibia's place at the 2015 World Cup.

The award was some consolation for Bothma, who will miss Namibia's Northern Hemisphere tour because of injury.

Off the field Namibian rugby also scored.

NRU CEO, Sybrand de Beer was named Namibia's Top Sports Administrator of the Year, while the Welwitchias team doctor Vernon Morkel was adjudged the volunteer of the Year.

Namibian Rugby Union President Bradley Basson congratulated the winners.

"It is very pleasing to see that the Namibian Rugby Union's efforts on and off the field are recognised," Basson said.

"These awards will serve as motivation for us as administrators and for the players as we head into one of the most important years in the history of Namibian rugby."

The list of Namibian Rugby winners at the Namibian Sports Commission's Annual Awards:.

Team of the Year: The Welwitchias.

Coach of the Year: Danie Vermeulen (joint award with Boxing's Michael Hamukwaya)

Most Improved athlete of the Year: Renaldo Bothma.

Administrator of the Year: Sybrand de Beer.

Volunteer of the Year: Vernon Morkel (Welwitchias team doctor)