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CSA Mourns Passing Of Cheryl Roberts, Passionate Advocate For Women In Sport

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JOHANNESBURG – Cricket South Africa (CSA) has learnt with immense sadness of the passing of former Olympian, table tennis star and fierce women’s sports activist, Cheryl Roberts who died on Friday after a battle with cancer.

Born on 10 March 1962, Roberts first made a name for herself when she represented South Africa in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona as part of the table tennis team. She was most recently known for her dedication to advocating for women in sport through storytelling as a writer, and her prominent social media posts.

Paying tribute to Roberts’ contribution to cricket and women’s sport, CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki said:

“The sporting fraternity has lost a colossus of women’s sports in the media, a voice that demanded to be heard and one who staunchly fought for female representation across multiple sporting codes, including the game of cricket.

“Her storytelling abilities helped the everyday South African understand the challenges faced by athletes on their journey to on-field success. It is through her unrelenting advocacy that women’s sport is now gaining the traction it deserves. She will be sorely missed.”

CSA Board Chairperson, Lawson Naidoo said:

“Cheryl’s loss comes at a time when the women’s game has grown exponentially, largely down to the sacrifices and valiant support from champions like her and the generation that laid the platform for the stars of today.

“On behalf of the Board, I wish to express my sincere condolences to the Roberts family, along with everyone she impacted over her lifetime. May her soul rest in peace.”

Cricket came to South Africa during the Napoleonic Wars and with the British forces occupying South Africa. The first match recorded was in 1808 in Cape Town between two service teams, for a prize of one thousand rix-dollars.

The oldest cricket club in South Africa is the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, founded in 1843. Few clubs in the world can boast such a long existence. The first championship was held in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) in 1876 for the “champion bat.” Competing teams were Cape Town, Grahamstown, King Williams Town, and Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). It was won by King Williams Town and the year after that too.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.