by Christine Davey
Thursday, March 7, 2002

Imagine that you're president of the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA). You need a communications director who can successfully guide the team over potential public relations hurdles. Who are you going to call? The best man for the job, of course, even if that's a woman.

Enter Bronwyn Wilkinson, the 35-year-old mother of one who took up the post in March 2000. When Wilkinson first began at the UCBSA, she feared the onset of boredom. Six weeks after her appointment the Cronjegate scandal erupted, and in the two years since, that pesky "b" word has kept a low profile.

As the liaison between the players and the press, Wilkinson has steered the South African team through controversies that would have made lesser mortals crumble. Recent media challenges finding their way into the in-tray include the unofficial-Test debacle between South Africa and India, the ensuing furore over Mike Denness, poor Test performances, and squabbles over selection procedures, including the sensitive quota issue. It's a big song-sheet for a one-woman band.

"I'm the only person in the department," she explains. "The pressure is unbelievable, but my background stands me in good stead." Starting as a crime reporter, Wilkinson moved through the journalistic ranks, eventually becoming the editor of the Saturday Star sports newspaper. The UCBSA gig seemed the perfect career opportunity.

"I'd always loved sport," she says. "I knew I could mix it with the guys as I'd spent much of my working life in sports departments." And the reaction to a woman wielding power in the press gallery? "It took a while to earn the respect of journalists," she says. "They tested me out, waited to see how much I knew about cricket. Some of the guys were patronising, but the way to handle it is to be myself, do my job and if people feel that I'm not doing it effectively they must tell me."

As far as the team is concerned, Wilkinson believes that being a woman makes her job easier. "I think I have more sensitivity towards the players, because it's part of being female," she says. "I try not to police press conferences, but feel comfortable teaching the guys about the importance of the media and the techniques involved."

Combining the duties of motherhood with touring, however, has not been so enjoyable. "I have a seven-year-old son and I can't see myself doing this forever. I can't understand how the guys on tour can sit in their hotel rooms and watch television. I literally drop my bags and go walking."

For Bronwyn Wilkinson the challenges of the job aren't likely to stop any time soon. "There are obstacles for women in this industry and for South African cricket as a whole," she adds. "Sport and politics are so interwoven in this country and the public demands a lot from the players. But I'd rather be run off my feet than sitting idle." As communications director for one of the most controversial teams in the game, Wilkinson may as well remove the word boredom from her dictionary forever.

Christine Davey is a freelance cricket writer from Winchelsea, Victoria. She intends retiring to the West Indies to watch cricket and snooze in the sun. Until that plan is financially possible, she writes sports stories and arts reviews.

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