CSA hosts women in cricket dialogue

In a landmark moment for women’s cricket in South Africa, Cricket South Africa (CSA) hosted the inaugural Women in Cricket Dialogue on Friday, a gathering aimed at reflecting on the sport’s journey, celebrating its present, and forging a visionary path forward.

Held in Melrose Arch, the full-day event brought together an influential mix of attendees, including Proteas Women players, SA U19 Women, domestic team captains, coaches, administrators, former national players, CSA leadership, staff, and key commercial partners.

Structured around three powerful panel discussions, the event also featured insight-driven keynote talks from industry leaders and player voices, aimed at sharing lived experiences and catalysing ideas and action to strengthen women’s cricket from grassroots to the international level.

Moderated by broadcaster Crystal Arnold, the first panel, “The Evolution of Women’s Cricket”, featured ICC Women’s Cricket Manager and former Indian cricketer Snehal Pradhan, who joined virtually to offer a global perspective.

Former national players, including former captain Linda Olivier as well as Claire Terblanche, Dinesha Devnarain and Nolubabalo Ndzundzu, the first black African Proteas Women, also gave powerful testimonies of playing through eras of limited opportunity, laying the groundwork for today’s generation.

The second panel, “Marketing, Commercialisation & Sponsorship”, focused on unlocking the commercial potential of women’s cricket. Senior Commercial Manager at Nielsen Sports, Nwabisa Sauls, presented compelling data on the growth of women’s sport audiences, while Suzuki SA’s Megan MacDonald spoke about the purpose and impact of brand investment in the space.

SuperSport Executive Producer, Vukile Majola, also provided further context on the growth of broadcasting in the women’s game.

The third panel, “The Future of Women’s Cricket”, dissected what it will take to ensure long-term sustainability and high-performance success of the game in South Africa. CSA’s Domestic Executive Edward Khoza and Head of High Performance Grant van Velden outlined plans for talent retention, national team depth and grassroots-to-elite alignment.

Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt and rising SA U19 star Kayla Reyneke offered powerful reflections from the athlete’s perspective, highlighting the value of professional contracts, mental wellness support, and meaningful match opportunities.

The panel discussion also featured a video from Cricket Australia’s Chief of Cricket, James Allsop, providing a brief outline of their various strategies to grow participation and player retention in girls' and women’s cricket.

Podcast booths also captured real-time reflections from speakers and attendees, while “Did You Know?” digital displays across the venue celebrated various milestones achieved within women’s cricket in South Africa.

CSA Public Affairs Executive, Refentse Shinners, commented:

“This Dialogue marks a pivotal step in redefining the narrative of women’s cricket in South Africa. It’s not just about looking back at the challenges and celebrating progress, it’s also about setting a clear vision for the future.

"We’re committed to building a game where every girl, regardless of background, sees a place for herself and has the support to thrive from the first swing to the international stage.”