Cricket is a family affair for the Conradie family, so it was only natural for Blanche Conradie to be drawn to the pitch and all things cricket. Conradie is the club manager of TuksCricket at the University of Pretoria (UP), a position she’s held since 2016.

“I grew up in a cricket-loving house,” she says. “My granddad was the Chairperson of his local cricket club in Waterval Boven, and I grew up with the stories of legends past. I was eight years old when my parents took me to my first live cricket match, and I have loved the sport ever since.”

As a child, Conradie was a sports fanatic, as she puts it, but she never thought she’d pursue a professional career path in the sports industry. After high school, her initial plan was to become a pilot or get into the events or tourism industries.  

“I never played competitive sport myself and I’ve never played cricket. I just took part in school sports like netball and hockey, and did some recreational long-distance running, swimming and cycling. I never imagined a career in sport – I didn't even realise this was a possibility.”

This changed when in 2010, she enrolled for a BCom degree in Business Management at UP. In her third year, she transferred to a BCom in Recreation and Sport Management.

“My first two years at university were an absolute jol – I enjoyed my time as a student thoroughly,” Conradie recalls. “My second year did not go so well for me academically; that was when my parents said that I needed to become more serious about my studies.”

“Through the Tourism Management Division, which is part of the Department of Marketing Management in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, we got the opportunity to work for the 2010 Soccer World Cup through VISA. That was my first taste of the work opportunities in sport. I loved my time working at that tournament.”

She got her foot in the TuksCricket offices in 2012 where she covered the practical hours she needed to pass her degree. After her undergraduate degree, Conradie stayed on as a volunteer, and at the beginning of 2014, was promoted to a full-time administrator.

“I completed my BCom (Hons) degree in Recreation and Sport Management, and in January 2016, I was promoted to the position of manager of TuksCricket, where I am currently employed. I manage the business side of the club, and oversee student athlete management for the players as well as the administration side of UP’s first team and the Elite Squad. Student sport is a unique part of the sporting pipeline in South Africa; this is where we can make a huge impact in a player or athlete's life. We have an opportunity to help players set themselves up for life, on the sports field, but also through getting degrees and qualifications.”

Conradie serves on the University Sports South Africa Cricket Executive as Chairperson, and is manager of the South African Under-19 men’s cricket team. She counts UP’s first team winning the Red Bull Campus Cricket World Finals (student world cup) three times as well as representing South Africa as team manager at two International Cricket Council Under-19 World Cricket World Cups as career highlights.

Her advice to young people who are considering taking up careers in the professional sports industry is to steadily climb the ranks and ensure that they “hang their cap” at every level.

“We are all eager to get the best positions as soon as possible, but at every level you work, there is so much to learn and enjoy,” Conradie says. “Use that time to become the best version of yourself in order to be the best in your line of work.”

As team and club manager, much of the work she does is behind the scenes. 

“There are so many day-to-day tasks that seem so small but that make a huge difference because when they aren’t completed, they can have a knock-on effect on many other things. 

“It is my job to ensure that things are completed so that players and coaches can focus on their own tasks. Athletes and support staff need to focus on performing and winning. I need to give them the opportunity to do so and take care of everything that will get them there to allow them to perform at their best.”