Lucinda Izally has been an important cog at the Border Cricket Union. The seasoned administrator started at the union in 2000 and went back to the Eastern Cape in 2014, before rejoining Border in 2019, simultaneously starting as the team manager for the EC Iinyathi Women, and as they say, the rest is history!
Chatting to Izally who is also the union’s Club Cricket and Facilities Co-ordinator, you can hear just how passionate she is about what she does. She says her job gives her such pleasure as she is able to make a difference in the lives of the people she gets to work with.
“To see the smiles on the children’s faces and getting to make a difference in somebody’s life is huge. I think these days people have forgotten about UBUNTU (sharing and caring). Most of our players come from the rural areas so to make a difference in just one life means a lot.”
Izally has been in the cricket world for 24 years. She has been the Personal Assistant to several former Cricket South Africa executives, and says she has learned many lessons, not just about what it takes to be a good leader but also about how one should conduct yourself.

Photo: Supplied
“I feel you must be open to suggestions. There is always an opportunity to learn every day it’s important to remember to work hard even if you don’t get the recognition. You must have passion for what you are doing and do more, it won’t kill you.”
She says over the years she has learned that being a good leader is ensuring your team is one that is happy during their working days. She believes that a content team will bring in the necessary results needed to be successful.
“I would say I am a transparent and democratic leader. I like to engage with the team. Get their input as we spend most of our day at the office. I believe that if the employees (team) are happy and satisfied in their jobs, we will have more productivity. They won’t mind doing a little extra. Team work is also paramount.”
Accomplished Border Cricket Union Administrator, Lucinda Izally
The administrator says that she received some simple and sage advice over the years from her peers, that has helped guide her in her journey as a leader:
“Some of the best advice I received was to be open and this was when it comes to change and growth. Also to delegate if possible and not to forget to be authentic, to do you and be yourself.”
Now with over two decades of experience, it’s safe to say that Izally has her fair share of career highlights. She shared with gsport what some of those career-high points have been.
“Last year with the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup I was called up by Cricket South Africa, I got to be the liaison for the Scotland U19 team and spent the entire tournament with the team. Then when that tournament ended I was asked by CSA to stay on to assist with the New Zealand senior Women’s team, where I spent about two weeks with them.
“Since then I formed a bond with the team. When they toured South Africa last year the team managed to call me to ask if I would be their liaison officer for that tour but I unfortunately was not available. That for me was a highlight for me in my career.
“Years ago when I started working at Border Cricket, I applied for a position at CSA. I started in the cricket operations department, and I think there I learned so much because I was working with fixtures, scoring, umpires, and match reports”, she added.
Women’s cricket is growing at an exponential rate and Izally is beyond thrilled with the positive trajectory the sport is on.
“To see where the sport is today, warms my heart. I know where we come from with women’s cricket. I remember going to some parents years ago to beg them so their daughters could play cricket and ensure them that their daughters would be safe because a lot of people believed that cricket was not for ladies.”
“I am grateful for how the sport has evolved and how it has grown because now we also look at the needs of the players in previous years there was nothing like that. I know when we used to prepare meals for the girls, sometimes it was just sandwiches because there was no money for women’s cricket (but now that has changed).
“It’s getting the recognition it deserves and it’s no longer a man’s game. I think more girls dream of making their national teams.”
As we bring the year to a close, it was another successful year for women in sport and sportswomen, Izally hopes 2025 brings more growth for women in sports administration.
“We need more women in leadership positions especially in smaller unions/provinces. Another important aspect is there should be equal pay and that there is fair treatment. We also need to make sure women have the same chances as men by challenging stereotypes.”
Main Photo Caption: Lucinda Izally has been an important cog at the Border Cricket. The seasoned administrator started at the union in 2000 and went back to the Eastern Cape in 2014, she then returned to Border in 2019. Photo: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Izally started as the team manager for the EC Iinyathi Women at Border and, as they say, the rest is history. Photo: Supplied