Saru’s first female exec
WHILE Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is trying to transform the team on the field, his bosses have appointed their first female executive council member.
SA Rugby announced yesterday that Ilhaam Groenewald and Monde Tabata were elected independent members of the exco.
Groenewald and Tabata, who previously served on the council, will attend their first meeting of the newly constituted exco in Cape Town next week.
Groenewald succeeds Mputumi Damani as one of two independent members of the 12-person exco.
“My passion is sport management and development, so when I was asked if I was happy to have my name put forward, I had no hesitation,” Groenewald said.
“You cannot work in sports administration in the Western Cape and not know about rugby, so I have very good insight into the work that SA Rugby does. I have also received very positive support from Stellenbosch University management.”
Groenewald was also the first woman to be appointed chief director: Maties Sport in August 2014.
She joined Stellenbosch from the University of the Western Cape, where she held the position of director of sport administration for more than a decade. She has a degree in business administration and a Master’s degree in sports management.
“I know SA Rugby has a very good story to tell and they are working hard to change the shape of the sport – as well as converting misplaced perceptions about it. I am excited to be joining them to offer experience and support in that process,” Groenewald said.
“I believe I have a very good understanding of sport at the grassroots level in our country and the challenges that are faced by our young athletes.
“I hope that type of background – as well as my experience in sports management – will offer some value to the executive council.”