This proudly South African teacher’s message to South Africa is “Together, we can!”, and if she sounds confident, it’s because she knows that nothing is impossible. Years before it was acceptable for women to be seen to be involved in the old-empire hallmark sport of cricket, Sandy was out there, being coached by none other than Ray Jennings, and convincing schools that girls love to play cricket too, even if it has to go to general assembly, where the girls outvote the boys to make sure that Sandy’s vision takes them forward.

Born in Durban but settling in East London, where she met the husband of her dreams, Malcom, Sandy is a busy on-the-go mom of 16-year old Jayson, a student at Selborne College, but her passions are South Africa and cricket, and nothing’s going to get in her dream of helping South Africa’s kids do better. “Not only is [sport] a way of keeping fit, it keeps them of the streets. It is a way to learn self-discipline and, as they get opportunities, to play at different levels,” says Sandy describing the sports-based principles she tries to instil in her charges. This has built her life up to the greatest honour of gaining the right to wear the South African national colours, and her appointment this year as the national women’s cricket manager left her in the clouds for days. gsport honoured to present a woman who has earned her stripes, Sandy Flanagan!

Where were you born, and where do you live now?

I was born in Durban, now I live in East London.

What makes you most proud to be a South African?

We live in such a beautiful country, with so many different cultures and so much to offer to the rest of the world.

Sandy, you’ve been involved in developing cricket among South Africa’s young girls and boys for more than 30 years, what is it about the game that’s kept you coming back for more?

I enjoy the passion of the youth and to see the growth of the game, especially in the girls, the huge talent out there, is so exciting. I believe that we can beat the best and hopefully, I can witness this first hand!

When your headmaster sent you off on a level-1 coaching course with Ray Jennings in 1985, you were the only woman attending. How did that go down?

I was very over-awed, and the guys were not quite sure how to treat me, but after a fielding session, where the guys were being thorough gentlemen and catching and fielding for me, Ray Jennings gave them a good talking to, and by the end of the course, I was one of the guys!

Your late 80’s move to East London marked a new stage of your life, what drew you to the Eastern Cape?

My family lived here and I decided to move with my mom, to be closer to the family. Not realising that a few months later I would meet my husband.

Your example has proven again and again that playing cricket is wildly popular among girls – Does this form of the game deserve a higher profile in the South African sports context?

Yes, I believe that the girls’ and women have now proved that they can play the game, and therefore they now deserve the higher profile and recognition they’ve earned. Especially in schools, where some headmasters still don’t recognise the sport. It needs to played at all primary schools. Our girl teams need the same respect shown to them as the male teams, especially at provincial and national level.

People often say that sport can change lives, is this true?

Yes, many of our youth don’t have much else in their lives than the sport they play. Not only is this a way of keeping fit, it keeps them of the streets. It is a way to learn self-discipline and, as they get opportunities, to play at different levels.

For many it is the push to later be role-models in their communities and a success in life. Makhaya Ntyini, to me, optimizes this! He is a role-model to so many, and never too big to get involved with schools and encourage sports teams and kids wherever he goes.

What would you count as your proudest moment as a cricket administrator?

There have been so many, perhaps completing my first successful U/19 National Week in Limpopo. Managing the SA U/19 Team, when they played warm-up games against the W.I. and New Zealand, prior to the Women’s’ World Cup in SA.

But maybe my proudest moment was being asked to manage the SA Women’s’ Team this year. Wow, I walked around in the clouds for days!

Who would you like to acknowledge for having had faith in you, and having supported your career choices?

Firstly I would have to acknowledge my family, not only for having the faith in me but the tremendous support that they give me, in order to be as involved as I am.

My school, Cambridge Primary, which supports me. Especially my headmaster, Mr Neil McIntyre, who has allowed me to be involved at this level of cricket.

Themba Lupuwana, CEO of Border cricket, who has always supported me.

And last but certainly not least, to CSA and the National Schools’ Executive, for all their support and the faith that they have put into me to afford me these wonderful opportunities.

What is the best career advice you’ve received?

My headmaster – Be the best that YOU can be!

What makes you passionate about sport?

For a day or 80 minutes, the whole of SA can join together and be ONE! We can celebrate together this wonderful country that live in. How boring life would be without sport!

How do you keep fit?

Honestly, other than running around at school and keeping up with my 16-year old son. I don’t play sport or exercise anymore.

Who are your favourite sports stars?

Cricket would have to be Jonty Rhodes, Makhaya Ntyini, AB de Villiers and Hansie Cronje.

What is your favourite spectator sport?

What a question – it would be cricket! You know the saying – I don’t like cricket, I LOVE it!!

Sandy, What has been your biggest sporting career highlight?

The SA Women’s’ Team winning the ODI trophy against the West Indies, in October 2009.

Which sport would you most like to participate in, if you were a professional athlete?

I wish that I had had the opportunity when I was young to play cricket. But a professional tennis player would be second on the list.

gsport takes relish in celebrating femininity. What does it mean to you to be a woman?

Being a mother, must be the highlight!

But as a woman, we are able to make a such a difference in people’s lives, by firstly showing that you don’t have to be tough and ruthless to achieve in life.

A woman has so much to offer, even if it is just the compassion or perhaps that special HUG, or just the ability to listen that makes a woman so special.

What is your biggest wish for 2010?

That SA presents the best Soccer World Cup ever!

Who are your role models?

My grandfather, Sonny Taylor. He was a simple man, who supported his family by ferrying people across the Great Kei River and fishing. But he was respected by many, and regarded as wise and loving man.

What inspires you?

Seeing my learners achieve in the classroom and on the sports fields inspires me to keep going, because maybe I have had an influence in their success.

Your message to South Africa?

We need to stop always looking for excuses and blaming others. We need to start working together to build a new South Africa, so that we can ALL say, “I’m proudly South African!”

Comments

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Vince Schaffers   |2009-12-01 18:43:17 Hey Guys I've worked with Sandy for only two months and I feel good already. Reply 0   0

Bazil johnson   |2010-07-07 21:02:45 Sandy i am honoured to know such a dynamic woman like you. You have always been a shining light whenever i have seen you. In the shops or at a school you are always a smile of positive vibes. Good luck. I am sure that all that know you can only be proud of their aquaintance with you. Reply 0   0

Belinda Flanagan  - Sister in Law   |2010-07-07 22:01:33 Sandy, you have always exhibited natual leadership qualities and have put 100% into all you do.We are proud of you. You are certainly deserving of this award.We wish you all the very best Reply 0   1

Monica Wendling  - Mrs   |2010-07-13 11:05:28 Sandy, what a great honour for you! I wish you all the best of luck, and know that you will never let the side down! Go Girl! Reply 1   0

Petra Badenhorst  - Mrs   |2010-07-20 22:14:33 Thanks for keeping the kids spirit up and standing your ground for woman in South African sport Reply 0   0

pearlmandla  - u rock   |2010-07-21 10:09:36 hey sandy well done on ur coaching career Reply 0   0

aphiwe tunyiswa  - u are the best MRS FLAN....................!!!!!!!   |2010-07-22 12:42:07 lets go mrs FLAN!!!!!! Reply 1   0

kaylyn   |2010-07-23 11:10:43 hey!!mrs flanagan....i wish you all the best..i know u will win cause you the best.Go 4 the GOLD:] Reply 0   0

ZIZO TSOTSO  - WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST (KISS)   |2010-07-23 11:30:26 YOU STILL REMEMBER ME RIGHT ANYWAY IM ZIZO AND YOU WERE MY GRADE 4 TEACHER I HOPE YOU WIN THIS AWARD AND MAKE CAMBRIDGE PRIMARY SCHOOL PROUD! LOVE YOU LOTS xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo you know you love me xoxo zizo Reply 0   0

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