Wow, it’s been a wonderful two weeks – crazy but exciting on so many levels. I have just been appointed Commercial Manager for Cricket South Africa, an opportunity I am relishing, as I prepare to contribute to CSA’s vision of bringing cricket to the masses.
In September last year, I made a big decision to leave cricket broadcasting after five wonderful seasons, to focus on developing the gsport initiative and to spend more time with my family. While I have enjoyed the break from cricket, I have craved the opportunity to once again contribute to the vision of making cricket a truly national sport of winners.
As CSA Commercial Manager, I will also be responsible for Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, and Events, which gives me an ideal opportunity to get involved in growing the business and the brand of Cricket South Africa.
I won’t be lost to gsport, and will continue as Editor in a non-executive capacity. We have some exciting developments planned for gsport this year, and we’re busy planning for the 2008 gsport Awards which once again take place on 1 August, to coincide with the start of women’s month.
People often ask me if it’s worth our while supporting women’s sport, because the growth is so slow. At gsport, we see things differently. We know that if women’s sport isn’t sincerely supported now, it won’t have the bright future we know it can.
Last weekend I had the privilege of being invited to the St Peter’s College Old Petrian’s Open Girls’ Water Polo tournament where 18 top schools battled it out for glory over three days. I got quite emotional sitting poolside, watching Rand Park High School take on defending champions, Reddam House College in an exhilarating final.
They played with great spirit, passion, honour, and pride, representing everything that is good about women’s sport. And the support was amazing, mothers, fathers, friends, teachers, you name it, they were there, cheering on the girls. Tournaments like these need to be supported and funding must to be made available, to ensure that age group girls’ sport prospers enough to feed our national teams, and give them a fair chance of competing against the best.
Another big highlight towards the end of February was the National Women’s Cricket team’s victory in the World Cup qualifier in Stellenbosch, to qualify for the 2009 Women’s World Cup in Australia. I was especially delighted to see how the team gelled in the absence of star all-rounder Johmari Logtenberg, who retired from cricket last December to pursue a career in golf.
What is evident is that team is hungry for success and they want to put their disappointing 2005 World Cup experience behind them with a good showing in Oz next year. Well done to captain Cri-Zelda Brits and her team!
I hope you enjoy this month’s Wheels Edition, which celebrates the best of motorsport and cycling along with other regulars like our School Sports Focus, Personal Account stories, and Provincial Golf feature. Please send us your suggestions and story ideas. We’re only too glad to hear from South African sports lovers…
Until next time!
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