25/03/2026
We are incredibly proud to congratulate Sarah Bennett, a valued member of the Ariel School family, on being named a 2026 AWISI Women of Impact in Sports Award Winner 🏆✨
Sarah’s achievement is a reflection of her passion, dedication, and commitment to making a meaningful impact both in sport and in the lives of those around her. She continues to inspire our students to strive for excellence, dream big, and lead with purpose.
Your Ariel School family celebrates you and this outstanding recognition on the continental stage 🌍💫
SARAH BENNETT NAMED AMONG AWISI WOMEN OF IMPACT IN SPORTS 2026
A leader on and off the field Deputy Head of Ariel School she balances education and elite sport leadership with precision and purpose.
Zimbabwe’s own Sarah Bennett has been recognised among the AWISI Women of Impact in Sports Award 2026 winners, a prestigious continental honour celebrating women transforming sport and society across Africa.
Selected from 75 nominations across 17 countries, and chosen by a distinguished panel of 13 continental judges, Bennett stands among an elite group of women driving change across multiple sectors of sport including governance, journalism, medicine, and community development.
Her recognition is a reflection of a career defined by excellence, leadership, and continental impact in hockey.
A former Zimbabwe national team goalkeeper, Bennett has evolved into one of Africa’s most respected technical leaders in the sport. She currently serves as Secretary-General of the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe, playing a critical role in strengthening governance and development structures within the game.
On the global stage, Bennett has consistently broken barriers. She has officiated at the Olympic Games, representing Africa at the highest level of international hockey. Her leadership credentials were further cemented with her appointment as Technical Delegate at the FIH Hockey World Cup, where she will led a team of 52 international officials, overseeing the technical delivery of one of the sport’s biggest global events.
Beyond global tournaments, Bennett’s influence across Africa is profound. As Vice-President of the African Hockey Federation and Chair of its Development Committee, she has driven capacity-building initiatives, strengthened officiating standards, and expanded opportunities for African officials particularly women to rise within the sport.
At the heart of her journey lies the true embodiment of the AWISI theme, “Give to Gain.” Sarah Bennett has consistently given her time, expertise, and leadership to develop others mentoring officials, building systems, and opening doors for women across Africa. In doing so, she has not only elevated individuals but strengthened the entire hockey ecosystem.
The “gain” is evident in the growing presence of African officials on the global stage, improved standards across the continent, and a new generation of women stepping into leadership roles because of the pathways she helped create.
Her work has not gone unnoticed. She was honoured with the prestigious FIH Development Champions Award, recognising her outstanding contribution to hockey development both in Zimbabwe and across the continent.
More than titles and accolades, Bennett represents a new standard of African leadership in sport competent, respected, and globally competitive.
Her journey from player to Olympic-level official and continental leader continues to inspire a new generation of women to step into spaces historically dominated by men.
Her inclusion among the AWISI Women of Impact in Sports Award 2026 winners is not just recognition it is confirmation of her role as a driving force in shaping the future of hockey in Africa and globally.
