Ilhaam Groenewald a Fierce Champion for Women Leaders in Sport
“Creating leadership pathways for women is essential” — Seasoned sports administrator Ilhaam Groenewald believes this goal is integral to increasing the number of females in leadership roles.
Yet, as we know, despite the number of women in top positions increasing, it remains all too common to find men holding key positions in organisations.
Groenewald has forged her path as Chief Director of Maties Sport, upholding and enhancing the tertiary institution’s iconic legacy among universities when it comes to sport. In this vaunted role, and with a keen appreciation of matters that affect women’s sport and women in sport, she has seen Maties experience exponential growth in the varsity-focused competitions space.
The SASCOC board member is well-known for her tireless advocacy to ensure women in sport are afforded opportunities, and this has made Groenewald an extraordinary asset and for the sector, earning her numerous accolades. Most recently Groenewald was the recipient of the Ministerial Commendation by the Western Cape Government’s Cultural Affairs and Sports Department.
Groenewald shared some of her precious time with gsport where she spoke about what the industry needs to ensure women secure positions in leadership and the strides being made for female athletes.
You have been in sport administration and leadership roles for many years. What has this taught you about leadership?
The various roles and levels of leadership have taught me the importance of resilience, adaptability, and collaboration. Sport is dynamic, and as a leader, I have learned to navigate challenges, build strong stakeholder relationships, and advocate for inclusivity and transformation. Leadership is about decision-making and empowering those around you to create a lasting impact. The latter still requires much work, and I have much to do and learn.
You have been an integral part of improving women’s sport. What have been some of the most significant positive changes for sport that you have seen in your time?
One of the most encouraging changes has been the increased visibility and investment in women’s sport. At a university sport level, institutional investment has grown, and with Varsity Cup and Varsity Sports, where I hold leadership roles, more corporate sponsors are coming on board. Media coverage has improved, and there is a growing recognition of the value of women in sport—whether as athletes, coaches, or administrators.
We’ve also seen significant policy shifts that promote gender equity at national and institutional levels. For example, whilst I celebrate the success of advancing women’s sport at Stellenbosch University, we had a more balanced allocation for our high performance bursaries over the years. Still, retaining a 50-50% allocation must be sustainable.
Where do you feel things can still improve for women athletes?
Financial investment, professional opportunities, and infrastructure for women and girls still need improvement. Equal pay, better sponsorship deals, and structured programmes for women’s sports remain critical areas of improvement. We must ensure more women and girls can access the same resources and support structures as their male counterparts.
What are some of the key lessons you have learned in your leadership roles?
A key lesson is that leadership is about service and impact. Being in a leadership role means making decisions that create opportunities for others. Collaboration and partnerships are essential to success, and advocating for diversity and inclusion is non-negotiable. Another lesson is the importance of mentorship—guiding young talent ensures sustainability in sport leadership.
How can we ensure more women rise into sports leadership positions?
Creating leadership pathways for women is essential. This means providing mentorship programmes, leadership training, and professional development opportunities. Policies and governance structures must also prioritise gender equity by setting targets for women’s representation in decision-making roles.
Sports organisations must commit and be held accountable to removing barriers that prevent women from advancing, especially ensuring that it is done honestly and sustainably. It is a fact that in some areas of sport, this is still very superficial and clouded by male egos.
Who are the leaders you admire, and what advice do you have for young women leaders rising?
I admire leaders who lead with courage and conviction in leading our country and are committed to advancing and transforming sport. These leaders are the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who stood firm on the commitment that “You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock / Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokotho’, and Cheryl Roberts, who championed gender equality in sport.
I advise young women leaders to stay committed to their vision, embrace learning, and never be afraid to take up space in leadership roles. Build strong networks, seek mentorship, and always uplift others.”
You were recently awarded the Provincial Ministerial Commendation for contributing to South Africa’s sport leadership. Congratulations! What does this award mean to you?
Thank you! This award is a great honour and a reflection of the collective efforts of many individuals working towards transformation in sport. It reaffirms the importance of representation and inspires me to continue advocating for progress in the sector. Recognition like this encourages me to push forward and create even more opportunities. It also reminds me that I have much more to do, specifically collaborating with our communities.
You were a winner on the gsport stage back in 2019. How have you benefited from the #PowerOfRecognition in that regard?
Winning on the gsport stage was a significant moment. It reinforced the impact of my work and encouraged further engagement in advancing women’s sport. Recognition platforms like gsport elevate women’s voices in sport and create networking and leadership opportunities that have lasting effects.
Kass Naidoo, the founder and champion of gsport, is a dear friend and colleague and deserves a special shout-out for making this happen.”
How can we make sustainable decisions for the good of women’s sport?
Sustainability in women’s sport requires long-term investment, structured development pathways, and governance policies prioritising gender equality. We must ensure that funding models cater to women and girls, facilities are equally accessible, and women’s sport is integrated into mainstream sport policies and commercial strategies.
It’s the Women’s Rugby World Cup this year. How much has SA women’s rugby advanced over the past decade?
Women’s rugby in South Africa has made tremendous progress over the past decade, with increased participation, better coaching structures, and more competitive international exposure.
The SA Rugby Union has made strides in developing the women’s game, but there is still work to be done regarding professionalisation, funding, and visibility. The Women’s Rugby World Cup is a great platform to showcase the growth and inspire the next generation.
In closing: ‘How can I continue to contribute to sport?’
My big dream and vision are to collaborate with all sport stakeholders to implement initiatives and programmes that will continue to advance sport in South Africa, specifically capacity building, advancing our country’s high performance delivery through innovation and technology, and exposure to knowledge through global partnerships. Women and girls must participate in these initiatives and programmes with a minimum of 50% representation.
As we move forward, I carry with me lessons of strength, compassion, and the unwavering belief that brighter days lie ahead. Together, we can embrace what remains and build on it with ongoing passionate, ethical and knowledge-driven leadership to advance sport in our beautiful country.
Main Photo Caption: Chief Director of Maties Sport, Ilhaam Groenewald believes that creating leadership pathways is essential to ensuring that women take up leadership positions in sport. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Groenwald: “Sustainability requires long-term investment, structured development pathways, and governance policies prioritising gender equality.”
Photo 3 Caption: Groenewald encourages young women leaders to stay committed to their vision, embrace learning, and never be afraid to take up leadership roles.
Crédito: Link de origem