Lions Cricket extends heartfelt congratulations to Sheenagh Jordaan on her selection as the team physiotherapist for the SA U19 tour to Bangladesh.
With a diverse background representing various teams in different sports, Sheenagh has not only published two poetry books but also maintains a dedicated fitness routine consisting of weightlifting, running, and engaging in activities such as reading, writing, and cherishing quality time with loved ones when she’s not on the boundary ropes.
The journey towards having physiotherapists in cricket teams began in 2010 when the Central Gauteng Lions (CGL) hired Craig Govender as South Africa’s first professional cricket physiotherapist.
Following suit, Cricket South Africa (CSA) adopted the same model two years later, ensuring that all men’s professional teams had physiotherapists. Subsequently, each men’s team acquired strength and conditioning coaches within the next two years.
Craig Govender, the Head of the Wanderers Sports Medical Centre, acknowledges the leadership of the Central Gauteng Lions franchise within Cricket South Africa, particularly in the field of sports medicine and science.
He states, “The Union pioneered the sports medicine and science department in the men’s game and have now done the same in the women’s game – and it is quite exceptional.”
In 2021, Jono-Leaf Wright, recognizing the vision, established a professional sports medicine and science team for the CGL Ladies Team and the pipeline. By 2022, the budget was in place, and for the first time in women’s cricket in South Africa, dedicated professionals filled key roles: Sheenagh Jordaan as the physiotherapist, Inge Konig as the strength and conditioning coach/biokineticist, and Dr. Dhavina Naidoo as the sports physician.
The culture within the sports medicine and science team at the CGL aims for excellence through cohesion and the development of women’s cricket to the level of the professional men’s team.
Embarking on her inaugural international tour as a team physiotherapist, Sheenagh celebrates a year of remarkable firsts. Having previously pioneered the role of team physiotherapist for women’s domestic cricket at the Wanderers Sports Medical Centre, she provided her services to the DP World Lions Women during the recent 2022/23 season.
Sheenagh also served as the team physiotherapist for the U19 Women’s Proteas during the inaugural U19 T20 Women’s World Cup.
Shaun Pretorius, the head coach of DP World Lions Ladies, praises Sheenagh’s professionalism and significant contribution to elevating the standards of the women’s game. He acknowledges her instrumental role in aiding performing players to enhance their game and facilitating proper rehabilitation for injured athletes, thereby extending their careers and improving their performances.
He believes that the CSA Women’s Provincial T20 Cup victory is a testament to the elite backend staff’s ability to create a winning team environment, expressing gratitude for Sheenagh’s contribution and wishing her the best on her tour.
Jono Leaf-Wright, CEO of Lions Cricket, expresses his delight at Sheenagh’s success. He views her as a representative of the remarkable work that Team Lions is doing for the women within their Pride.
Acknowledging her well-deserved call-up, he has no doubt that her journey will continue to inspire all the women associated with the team to strive for more and achieve greater heights. He urges Sheenagh to enjoy her tour, as the Lionesses eagerly await her return.
Lions Cricket, along with the Wanderers Sports Medical Centre, extends their best wishes to Sheenagh for her upcoming adventures, confident that she will uphold the Pride’s high standards of professionalism and unwavering passion that have become synonymous with their name.
