gsport
often receives correspondence from young women who would like to pursue a
career in cricket commentating. This month, as our Woman in Media, we’re
delighted to feature a young lady, who not only dreamt of becoming a cricket
commentator, but she went on to achieve her goal.
Joburg-based
Natalie Germanos is a multi-talented sportswoman and coach, who has a deep
passion for cricket, and is currently one of SABC’s top woman cricket
commentators on radio.
Her
first gig was the semi-finals of the 2005 Women’s Cricket World Cup, and she
hasn’t looked back since.
Although
the job doesn’t come without its challenges and Natalie says peoples’ initial
perceptions are that because she is a woman she probably knows nothing about
the game.
Natalie’s
knowledge of the game is unquestionable and it comes across in her commentary
which can be heard on Radio 2000 this summer when Graeme Smith’s Proteas play
New Zealand and West Indies at home, starting on November 8 at Liberty Life
Wanderers.
One
of her highlights is commentating on the magical 438 game between South Africa and Australia; a major highlight in her
young cricket broadcasting career. Natalie loves talking about cricket and
sharing opinions with others involved in the game.
She
believes a commentator needs to touch people with their words, and says
although playing is not a requisite, it certainly been an advantage that she
plays cricket, and understands what the players go through. Her favourite
commentators are Robin Jackman and Neil Manthorp, veterans in the field of
cricket broadcasting.
Natalie
says that femininity plays a big role in her life because she works in a male
dominated environment.
She
keeps fit by playing volleyball, and she is good at it, too. She and her team won
the 2007 VSA Cup, and are in the top 8 in the country,
Introducing
gsport’s November Woman in Media, the Voice of Cricket, Natalie Germanos!
How did you get into cricket
commentating?
I
have always wanted to do cricket commentary, and so I decided to study sports
communication as I thought this would give me the best foundation for this type
of career. Then one day while training at the Wanderers I asked my fitness
trainer Jeff Lunsky (Gauteng
cricket fitness trainer), if he knew anyone I could speak to about getting into
commentary.
He
gave me Lawrence Mahatlane’s number (commentator for the SABC). I phoned Lawrence and he gave me
the producer’s number at Radio 2000 – Daan Van Der Berg. So I phoned Daan and
he asked me some questions about my involvement in cricket, and he invited me
to come to the Wanderers where Zimbabwe
were taking on SA (2005).
So
I went to the game and I sat with Daan while he explained to me how the
different commentary roles work. We also spoke about what I have done in
cricket and he asked me to send him my CV and a demo tape.
A
couple of days later before I could even do that, he phoned me telling me that
there was a contract for me to sign, and he also invited me to be a part of the
commentary team for the semi final in the ladies World Cup which was held in
Potchefstroom. And I have been commentating ever since.
What do you enjoy most about cricket
broadcasting?
For
me the best part is quite simply talking about the sport that I love. You get
to hear so many different opinions on the game and get the opportunity to sit
with people who are all involved in the game in different ways and talk about
what’s happening in front of you. What could be better?
Do you think having played cricket;
it gives you an added advantage as a commentator?
Definitely,
but to me it’s not a prerequisite. If you have played the game at any level it
gives you a different perspective. You are able to comment on what it feels
like to be out in the middle with a bat in hand, while some person with a solid
round ball in hand is trying everything in his/her power to make sure your stay
in the middle is not a lengthy one. If you have never been in the middle you can’t
really understand what that feels like.
Or
what it feels like to be the poor fielder under a ball that some batsmen lofted
high in the sky, so high that it comes back down with ice on it, and you are
expected to catch it with ease.
So
if you haven’t played you will never fully understand what that feels like, but
how many people watching the game have played the game? Probably a smaller
percentage than one thinks. So you need commentators who can give you variation
and not just a past players perspective. They need to be able to touch people
with their words and make them also feel a part of a game whether they have
played or not, as many may not fully understand certain aspects of the game. So
yes having played the game is an advantage but not a necessity.
Which broadcasters do you admire and
why?
Well
the first one that comes to mind is definitely Robin Jackman. He always has
something different to offer. He has the ability to reach almost all types of
listeners. The more traditional cricket enthusiasts will concur with his
thinking while others who are not as well versed in the workings of a seam on a
cricket ball for example can still understand and follow what he is saying.
He
also has a great sense of humour which keeps you listening so you can catch
what he is going to say next. And that for me is important. As a listener you
should always want to hear what is coming and not just listen because you hate
watching the cricket with the mute function on.
Also,
Neil Manthorp is another I admire. He has a knack of knowing what the public
wants to hear and being a radio commentator mostly, he can paint a great
picture in ones mind of what is actually happening. He too has a great sense of
humour.
What challenges have you faced as a
woman in cricket broadcasting?
Well
the obvious one of course is people and their automatic assumptions that
because I am a female I must know nothing about the game. Then after they have
heard me talk about the game they are so shocked and can’t believe I actually
know that fine leg is a position on the field and not an appendage on a model. I
am not sure what is worse, their initial thoughts or their after shock.
So
for me the main challenge is people’s initial perceptions that they have
because I am a female in a predominantly males sport. But otherwise the
challenges I think are pretty similar across both genders.
Describe your biggest highlight as a
cricket commentator to date?
Well
I have two that I just can’t separate. One is definitely the first time I
commentated. It was the ladies World Cup semi final, my first stint was with
Neil Manthorp and it was my birthday – a dream come true LITERALLY!
Then,
the other is of course commentating on the 438 game. Being at the Wanderers
when South Africa
accomplished what every Australian (and some South Africans) thought was
impossible was just indescribable. This may sound a bit schizophrenic, but I
can still hear the crowd cheering after Mark Boucher hit the winning runs and the
scoreboard read SA 438/9 after 49.5 overs.
How do you think the introduction of
Twenty20 cricket will impact the international game?
Well,
for one thing I feel that it will bring different crowds to watch which can
only be a plus, because then the game will be reaching so many more people and
that can only be good for the game. T20 could even be sold to nations that do
not play much cricket now and again the game will be spread around the world.
Also
it should quicken up the other forms of the game in that batsmen may be more
likely to score at a quicker rate, and that will increase the likelihood of
getting results in test matches which of course will increase spectator value.
Even
for bowlers there are pluses, they really need to hone their skills to be able
to be a factor in T20 cricket and their disciplines have to be spot on. No
bowler wants to give away a free hit to a big hitter like Albie Morkel who has
just hit you for a six in excess of 100 metres.
What do you prefer – Test matches,
ODIs, or Twenty20 cricket?
I
have no preference. For me each form has its advantages and disadvantages. I
can just as easily watch every ball of a five-day game as I can sit and watch
the big hitting in a T20 game.
What advice do you have for women
who would like to break into cricket broadcasting?
Perseverance
is a wonderful thing. If you have that you are half way there. Never forget why
you want to get into this career. If it’s for money you will never truly enjoy
it or have the passion that it takes to stick around in a very demanding
environment.
What is the key skill to have as a
commentator?
For
me it’s for a commentator to remember that you are talking to people and not at
people. Bring them into the situation make them feel apart of the action, share
the story and get them excited about what is happening.
Who are your favourite cricketers
and why?
My
favourite is Jacques Kallis. He has been for many years. He is the ultimate
professional. The way he goes about his game is a delight to watch. He gives
nothing away and values every moment that he plays for his country. His
temperament is just perfect for a professional sportsman. Also Mahela
Jayawardene; he has a great array of shots and he has proven to be a great
captain.
What are your other projects, aside
from cricket, and what do you enjoy about them?
I
am a sports coach. I coach many sports including netball, tennis, swimming, and
athletics and of course cricket. Coaching can be a thankless job in that you
don’t usually get recognition for your efforts. If the athlete does well then
they get congratulated but if the athlete fails then it must be the coaches’
fault.
But
there is something about being able to mould a child’s sporting life. Children
are like sponges, they are so willing to learn and when you teach them
something and they get it right it’s the most unbelievable feeling in the
world.
They
also of course keep you on your toes – ALL THE TIME!
I
also play volleyball for a club that a few friends and I started at the
beginning of this year. We have already moved into the top 8 in the country, so
it’s pretty serious volleyball.
Tell us about your trip to Argentina to
coach women’s cricket?
Well
it was definitely an eye opening experience. There are not too many people who
play cricket in Argentina
but they certainly have a lot of passion for the sport. The girls are still
learning the basics in playing and it was difficult to coach them as they don’t
have access to good quality facilities like nets and fields, and their
equipment is very limited.
Most
of the players also don’t get to watch the game on TV, and their only access to
the cricketing world is through some small articles in one English newspaper
that they have. So from that perspective it was very challenging as you are not
only teaching them the technicalities of the game but you are also trying to
coach them about the culture of the game.
But
it was a highly successful experience for everyone as they had never had a
female coach before, and the women’s game is definitely very different from the
men’s game.
A girl’s
team from New Zealand
toured there while I was coaching them and we played them in 4 games. The
Argentinean girls knew the New Zealand
girls from when they toured New
Zealand a few seasons prior to that tour.
The New Zealand
players and coaches all said there had been a huge improvement in the way my team
was playing and our team also managed to win one of the four games.
So
there were a lot of positives to take out of the tour for me and for the
girls.
How do you think we can improve the
state of women’s cricket in South
Africa?
Well
as they say money makes the world go round. Unfortunately it’s a cold hard
reality that money is desperately needed to be able to improve the state of
women’s cricket in this country. The players need to play more matches to
improve their skills and their experience, and for this you need money.
It’s
all well and good for the players to put in hours of practise but if they are
not spending time in the middle, I am afraid that they will find it difficult
to move up a level on the world stage.
We
have a lot of talented female players in this country and much like the men’s
game there are a lot of good all round players. So they have the potential to
go very far and compete with the best, but these players cannot dedicate their
lives to the game as most of them work or study and don’t have the time or
money to do this.
Once
the financial side is sorted out, then in my opinion the rest, like technique,
fitness and tactics can all be improved.
Which
other sports do you enjoy?
Well
I definitely enjoy playing volleyball, I enjoy English Soccer (Manchester
United fan), and I also enjoy watching rugby. Then there’s tennis, netball,
swimming, golf… so pretty much any sport.
How do you keep fit?
Playing
volleyball definitely keeps you fit. Our team is pretty serious about it and I
am competing with provincial and national players so I have to make sure I am
on top of my game. I try get to the gym but the cricket schedule sometimes is
so demanding that I battle to get into a regular routine, especially when the
team is overseas – the time difference can be a killer.
How do you deal with challenges that
come your way as a woman in sport?
For
me the best way to deal with challenges is to just go about proving to people
that you belong. Not by fighting it with meaningless words but by showing them you belong. Through your
actions and your work people will gain respect for you.
gsport strives to celebrate
femininity. How would you define femininity and what role does it play in your
life?
For me femininity is the gentleness, tenderness and
attention to detail that a woman brings to any situation she is faced with.
Femininity definitely plays an important role in my life
because I work in a male dominated environment and I feel it is important for a
woman to maintain her identity and to contribute to her situation in a way that
only women can do.
In my career, this enables me to reach different people
and to touch people in different ways.
gsport’s theme for November is
INSPIRATION. What inspires you?
Chocolate!
No really, for me it’s the feeling of achievement you get when you accomplish
your goals. When I set out to achieve something and I am able to get there,
there is no greater feeling. When I am striving for a new goal I keep that
feeling in mind and that is what keeps me going.
Also
I know that if I want to achieve something it’s all in my hands, and what could
be better motivation than knowing it’s all in your control. It’s all up to the
person to go after what they want!
Who are your role models?
Definitely
my mother. I am still trying to figure out how she gets so much done in a day
that’s only 24 hours long and still has time to listen to 4 children’s
grievances (5 if you count my dad).
My
dad also because he is like a walking sports encyclopaedia. He understands the
ins and outs of most sports and usually can give you the history of the sport
and the history of the players.
What is your favourite motto?
"By
perseverance the snail reached the ark!" (Charles H Spurgeon)
What is your greatest ambition?
World
domination! No really, to commentate on a cricket game in all the major
stadiums around the world! (So pretty much world domination – in cricket terms)
2007 November Woman in Media: Natalie Germanos
gsport
often receives correspondence from young women who would like to pursue a
career in cricket commentating. This month, as our Woman in Media, we’re
delighted to feature a young lady, who not only dreamt of becoming a cricket
commentator, but she went on to achieve her goal.
Joburg-based
Natalie Germanos is a multi-talented sportswoman and coach, who has a deep
passion for cricket, and is currently one of SABC’s top woman cricket
commentators on radio.
Her
first gig was the semi-finals of the 2005 Women’s Cricket World Cup, and she
hasn’t looked back since.
Although
the job doesn’t come without its challenges and Natalie says peoples’ initial
perceptions are that because she is a woman she probably knows nothing about
the game.
Natalie’s
knowledge of the game is unquestionable and it comes across in her commentary
which can be heard on Radio 2000 this summer when Graeme Smith’s Proteas play
New Zealand and West Indies at home, starting on November 8 at Liberty Life
Wanderers.
One
of her highlights is commentating on the magical 438 game between South Africa and Australia; a major highlight in her
young cricket broadcasting career. Natalie loves talking about cricket and
sharing opinions with others involved in the game.
She
believes a commentator needs to touch people with their words, and says
although playing is not a requisite, it certainly been an advantage that she
plays cricket, and understands what the players go through. Her favourite
commentators are Robin Jackman and Neil Manthorp, veterans in the field of
cricket broadcasting.
Natalie
says that femininity plays a big role in her life because she works in a male
dominated environment.
She
keeps fit by playing volleyball, and she is good at it, too. She and her team won
the 2007 VSA Cup, and are in the top 8 in the country,
Introducing
gsport’s November Woman in Media, the Voice of Cricket, Natalie Germanos!
How did you get into cricket
commentating?
I
have always wanted to do cricket commentary, and so I decided to study sports
communication as I thought this would give me the best foundation for this type
of career. Then one day while training at the Wanderers I asked my fitness
trainer Jeff Lunsky (Gauteng
cricket fitness trainer), if he knew anyone I could speak to about getting into
commentary.
He
gave me Lawrence Mahatlane’s number (commentator for the SABC). I phoned Lawrence and he gave me
the producer’s number at Radio 2000 – Daan Van Der Berg. So I phoned Daan and
he asked me some questions about my involvement in cricket, and he invited me
to come to the Wanderers where Zimbabwe
were taking on SA (2005).
So
I went to the game and I sat with Daan while he explained to me how the
different commentary roles work. We also spoke about what I have done in
cricket and he asked me to send him my CV and a demo tape.
A
couple of days later before I could even do that, he phoned me telling me that
there was a contract for me to sign, and he also invited me to be a part of the
commentary team for the semi final in the ladies World Cup which was held in
Potchefstroom. And I have been commentating ever since.
What do you enjoy most about cricket
broadcasting?
For
me the best part is quite simply talking about the sport that I love. You get
to hear so many different opinions on the game and get the opportunity to sit
with people who are all involved in the game in different ways and talk about
what’s happening in front of you. What could be better?
Do you think having played cricket;
it gives you an added advantage as a commentator?
Definitely,
but to me it’s not a prerequisite. If you have played the game at any level it
gives you a different perspective. You are able to comment on what it feels
like to be out in the middle with a bat in hand, while some person with a solid
round ball in hand is trying everything in his/her power to make sure your stay
in the middle is not a lengthy one. If you have never been in the middle you can’t
really understand what that feels like.
Or
what it feels like to be the poor fielder under a ball that some batsmen lofted
high in the sky, so high that it comes back down with ice on it, and you are
expected to catch it with ease.
So
if you haven’t played you will never fully understand what that feels like, but
how many people watching the game have played the game? Probably a smaller
percentage than one thinks. So you need commentators who can give you variation
and not just a past players perspective. They need to be able to touch people
with their words and make them also feel a part of a game whether they have
played or not, as many may not fully understand certain aspects of the game. So
yes having played the game is an advantage but not a necessity.
Which broadcasters do you admire and
why?
Well
the first one that comes to mind is definitely Robin Jackman. He always has
something different to offer. He has the ability to reach almost all types of
listeners. The more traditional cricket enthusiasts will concur with his
thinking while others who are not as well versed in the workings of a seam on a
cricket ball for example can still understand and follow what he is saying.
He
also has a great sense of humour which keeps you listening so you can catch
what he is going to say next. And that for me is important. As a listener you
should always want to hear what is coming and not just listen because you hate
watching the cricket with the mute function on.
Also,
Neil Manthorp is another I admire. He has a knack of knowing what the public
wants to hear and being a radio commentator mostly, he can paint a great
picture in ones mind of what is actually happening. He too has a great sense of
humour.
What challenges have you faced as a
woman in cricket broadcasting?
Well
the obvious one of course is people and their automatic assumptions that
because I am a female I must know nothing about the game. Then after they have
heard me talk about the game they are so shocked and can’t believe I actually
know that fine leg is a position on the field and not an appendage on a model. I
am not sure what is worse, their initial thoughts or their after shock.
So
for me the main challenge is people’s initial perceptions that they have
because I am a female in a predominantly males sport. But otherwise the
challenges I think are pretty similar across both genders.
Describe your biggest highlight as a
cricket commentator to date?
Well
I have two that I just can’t separate. One is definitely the first time I
commentated. It was the ladies World Cup semi final, my first stint was with
Neil Manthorp and it was my birthday – a dream come true LITERALLY!
Then,
the other is of course commentating on the 438 game. Being at the Wanderers
when South Africa
accomplished what every Australian (and some South Africans) thought was
impossible was just indescribable. This may sound a bit schizophrenic, but I
can still hear the crowd cheering after Mark Boucher hit the winning runs and the
scoreboard read SA 438/9 after 49.5 overs.
How do you think the introduction of
Twenty20 cricket will impact the international game?
Well,
for one thing I feel that it will bring different crowds to watch which can
only be a plus, because then the game will be reaching so many more people and
that can only be good for the game. T20 could even be sold to nations that do
not play much cricket now and again the game will be spread around the world.
Also
it should quicken up the other forms of the game in that batsmen may be more
likely to score at a quicker rate, and that will increase the likelihood of
getting results in test matches which of course will increase spectator value.
Even
for bowlers there are pluses, they really need to hone their skills to be able
to be a factor in T20 cricket and their disciplines have to be spot on. No
bowler wants to give away a free hit to a big hitter like Albie Morkel who has
just hit you for a six in excess of 100 metres.
What do you prefer – Test matches,
ODIs, or Twenty20 cricket?
I
have no preference. For me each form has its advantages and disadvantages. I
can just as easily watch every ball of a five-day game as I can sit and watch
the big hitting in a T20 game.
What advice do you have for women
who would like to break into cricket broadcasting?
Perseverance
is a wonderful thing. If you have that you are half way there. Never forget why
you want to get into this career. If it’s for money you will never truly enjoy
it or have the passion that it takes to stick around in a very demanding
environment.
What is the key skill to have as a
commentator?
For
me it’s for a commentator to remember that you are talking to people and not at
people. Bring them into the situation make them feel apart of the action, share
the story and get them excited about what is happening.
Who are your favourite cricketers
and why?
My
favourite is Jacques Kallis. He has been for many years. He is the ultimate
professional. The way he goes about his game is a delight to watch. He gives
nothing away and values every moment that he plays for his country. His
temperament is just perfect for a professional sportsman. Also Mahela
Jayawardene; he has a great array of shots and he has proven to be a great
captain.
What are your other projects, aside
from cricket, and what do you enjoy about them?
I
am a sports coach. I coach many sports including netball, tennis, swimming, and
athletics and of course cricket. Coaching can be a thankless job in that you
don’t usually get recognition for your efforts. If the athlete does well then
they get congratulated but if the athlete fails then it must be the coaches’
fault.
But
there is something about being able to mould a child’s sporting life. Children
are like sponges, they are so willing to learn and when you teach them
something and they get it right it’s the most unbelievable feeling in the
world.
They
also of course keep you on your toes – ALL THE TIME!
I
also play volleyball for a club that a few friends and I started at the
beginning of this year. We have already moved into the top 8 in the country, so
it’s pretty serious volleyball.
Tell us about your trip to Argentina to
coach women’s cricket?
Well
it was definitely an eye opening experience. There are not too many people who
play cricket in Argentina
but they certainly have a lot of passion for the sport. The girls are still
learning the basics in playing and it was difficult to coach them as they don’t
have access to good quality facilities like nets and fields, and their
equipment is very limited.
Most
of the players also don’t get to watch the game on TV, and their only access to
the cricketing world is through some small articles in one English newspaper
that they have. So from that perspective it was very challenging as you are not
only teaching them the technicalities of the game but you are also trying to
coach them about the culture of the game.
But
it was a highly successful experience for everyone as they had never had a
female coach before, and the women’s game is definitely very different from the
men’s game.
A girl’s
team from New Zealand
toured there while I was coaching them and we played them in 4 games. The
Argentinean girls knew the New Zealand
girls from when they toured New
Zealand a few seasons prior to that tour.
The New Zealand
players and coaches all said there had been a huge improvement in the way my team
was playing and our team also managed to win one of the four games.
So
there were a lot of positives to take out of the tour for me and for the
girls.
How do you think we can improve the
state of women’s cricket in South
Africa?
Well
as they say money makes the world go round. Unfortunately it’s a cold hard
reality that money is desperately needed to be able to improve the state of
women’s cricket in this country. The players need to play more matches to
improve their skills and their experience, and for this you need money.
It’s
all well and good for the players to put in hours of practise but if they are
not spending time in the middle, I am afraid that they will find it difficult
to move up a level on the world stage.
We
have a lot of talented female players in this country and much like the men’s
game there are a lot of good all round players. So they have the potential to
go very far and compete with the best, but these players cannot dedicate their
lives to the game as most of them work or study and don’t have the time or
money to do this.
Once
the financial side is sorted out, then in my opinion the rest, like technique,
fitness and tactics can all be improved.
Which
other sports do you enjoy?
Well
I definitely enjoy playing volleyball, I enjoy English Soccer (Manchester
United fan), and I also enjoy watching rugby. Then there’s tennis, netball,
swimming, golf… so pretty much any sport.
Playing
volleyball definitely keeps you fit. Our team is pretty serious about it and I
am competing with provincial and national players so I have to make sure I am
on top of my game. I try get to the gym but the cricket schedule sometimes is
so demanding that I battle to get into a regular routine, especially when the
team is overseas – the time difference can be a killer.
How do you deal with challenges that
come your way as a woman in sport?
For
me the best way to deal with challenges is to just go about proving to people
that you belong. Not by fighting it with meaningless words but by showing them you belong. Through your
actions and your work people will gain respect for you.
gsport strives to celebrate
femininity. How would you define femininity and what role does it play in your
life?
For me femininity is the gentleness, tenderness and
attention to detail that a woman brings to any situation she is faced with.
Femininity definitely plays an important role in my life
because I work in a male dominated environment and I feel it is important for a
woman to maintain her identity and to contribute to her situation in a way that
only women can do.
In my career, this enables me to reach different people
and to touch people in different ways.
gsport’s theme for November is
INSPIRATION. What inspires you?
Chocolate!
No really, for me it’s the feeling of achievement you get when you accomplish
your goals. When I set out to achieve something and I am able to get there,
there is no greater feeling. When I am striving for a new goal I keep that
feeling in mind and that is what keeps me going.
Also
I know that if I want to achieve something it’s all in my hands, and what could
be better motivation than knowing it’s all in your control. It’s all up to the
person to go after what they want!
Who are your role models?
Definitely
my mother. I am still trying to figure out how she gets so much done in a day
that’s only 24 hours long and still has time to listen to 4 children’s
grievances (5 if you count my dad).
My
dad also because he is like a walking sports encyclopaedia. He understands the
ins and outs of most sports and usually can give you the history of the sport
and the history of the players.
What is your favourite motto?
"By
perseverance the snail reached the ark!" (Charles H Spurgeon)
What is your greatest ambition?
World
domination! No really, to commentate on a cricket game in all the major
stadiums around the world! (So pretty much world domination – in cricket terms)
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