Mr Leon Beech, the Chief Executive Officer of Northlink College has been recognized as a Sport Legend in the Western Cape. This prestigious awarded was bestowed on him by Mr Cameron Dugmore: MEC of Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation at a function held at Kirstenbosch during the later part of 2008 in recognition for the role which Beech has played in the development of karate for the past 25 years and for the unselfish contribution made in shaping sport in the Western Cape.

Leon Beech has been involved in the unification of sport in the province and is a founder member of the then National Olympic and Sports Congress and has focused his attention primarily on making karate a nonracial sports entity throughout South Africa. He is currently a 5th Dan Black Belt with Karate-Zen International and is the President of Karate South Africa. He has also led karate in the Western Province for the past twenty years and represents South Africa on a number of International organizations and committees. He is passionate about taking the sport to the people and creating opportunities for those who have been deprived in the past. He is convinced that karate contributes to the development of individuals and specifically supplements the education process for learners. Karate instills discipline, encourages a healthy lifestyle and equips individuals to contend with any forms of violence inflicted on them.

His 13 year old daughter, Micaela, also practices karate and has been recently awarded a Junior Blackbelt.