Behind every great man, there's a great woman

2019-08-26

As we wrap up this Womens' Month we had a chat to some amazing women in the Lions family. Behind every strong athlete, coach or rugby administrator is an even stronger woman. While these men get all the glory, little credit is given to the wives and girlfriends that support them day in and day out.

Diana Emma Allers (daughter of Lions Rugby Company Chairman Altmann Allers)


1. What are you currently doing with your life?

I am currently finishing up my postgraduate in Economics at the University of Stellenbosch with dreams of moving into business analytics and venture capitalism.

2. How as rugby impacted on your life?

Rugby has always been a huge part of my life from supporting my dad on the side lines of Pirates Rugby Club to supporting the Lions at Emirates Airline Park. When I was younger, I used to have no interest in the sport and never really enjoyed the cold winter evenings standing next to the field. As I have grown older, I have learnt so much from the sport and the enrichment it brings to people’s lives, including my own. I see the bigger picture of sport of how it provides jobs, creates a sense of unity and acts as a platform to make friends and associates.

3. Tell us what it is like to be the daughter of someone who is such a successful businessman as Altmann Allers.

I have been quite sheltered from my dad’s work life, so to me he is simply dad. Sometimes it is a bit frustrating when we go for a walk somewhere and we stop every four steps to greet someone. It is also sometimes a challenge to understand the balance of work and quality time as he is constantly busy. In saying this, he always makes a plan to see me and it is something I truly appreciate especially given the time constrained circumstances. I am very fortunate to have someone in my life that I truly adore and that possesses qualities I aspire to have. He entices and inspires me to work hard and be better. I am so grateful to have such a role model in my life.

4. Has he always put pressure on you to follow in his footsteps?

This question can be answered in many ways. From a business and career path, my dad has always pushed me to follow my own dreams and interests. Sometimes this is difficult because as a young person, we often want someone to tell us what to do and make our life decisions for us. My dad has always guided me to follow in his footsteps when it comes to loyalty and kindness. Building and maintaining relationships are very important and he has encouraged me to see the value in that too.

5. What is the one thing you have learnt from your father?

That rugby is not just a game. I am kidding. It is difficult to pinpoint a particular lesson but a combination of things spring to mind. Never giving up on anything. Setbacks no matter the magnitude are temporary tests of resilience which is something we all need to inherently master.


Rienie van Rooyen (vrou van Curriebeker-afrigter Cash van Rooyen)


1. Hoe affekteer die feit dat Cash nou die hoofafrigter is julle lewens?

Ek dink nie dit het veel meer verander as voorheen nie, hy spandeer steeds baie tyd by die unie gedurende die week, hy is maar nog altyd baie betrokke by die span gewees. Dit is definitief meer stresvol op wedstryddag, omdat sy betrokkenheid bietjie meer van ‘n impak het as voorheen. Hy geniet nog altyd sy werk so baie, en dis vir my lekker om hom daarin te ondersteun en deel te wees.

2. Jy het groot geword met rugby, en nou is rugby steeds deel van jou lewe, hoe ontsnap jy as vrou?

Ek werk voltyds deur die week, en dan word my naweke vol gemaak met rugby, kinderpartytjies en ‘n kuier met familie of vriende hier en daar. Daar is maar bitter min geleentheid vir ‘n bietjie me-time. Ek probeer so nou en dan bietjie myself bederf met ‘n nael- of haarafspraak, maar met twee klein dogtertjies is die ‘luxury’ nie altyd moontlik nie. Ons is ‘n baie hegte gesin, so enige oomblik wat ons saam kan wees is vir my ook ‘n bederf. Wanneer Ivan bietjie by die huis kan wees, is my ontsnapping n vinnige ‘mall’-uitstappie.

3. Siende dat jy nou die hoofafrigter se vrou is, voel jy dat jou rol tussen die ander vrouens en meisies verander het? Is daar vir jou ander uitdagings as voorheen?

Ek glo nie dit het verander nie. Toe ons so tien jaar terug deel van die Leeus-familie geword het, was ek te jonk om deel van die bestuur te wees en meer die ouderdom van die spelers se vrouens op daai tyd. So ek het baie geheg aan hulle almal geraak en nog nooit rerig n skeiding gesien tussen bestuur en spelers se vrouens/meisies nie. So in my opinie het niks rerig verander nie en ek sal dit ook so wil hou. Ek voel wel bietjie ‘oud’ tussen al die nuwe jong meisies wat deel geword het van die span in die laaste paar maande, maar niks wat rerig n nuwe uitdaging bring nie.

4. Kanker het ‘n groot rol in jou lewe. Is dit iets waarvan jy gedurig bewus is.

Sjoe ja, ek is nogal iemand wat daarvan hou om in beheer te wees van my lewe, en mens besef vinnig dat dit nie iets is wat binne jou beheer is nie. Ek het die laaste drie jaar my leefstyl doelbewus aangepas in terme van eetgewoontes, oefening ens, want dit is iets wat ek kan beheer. Ek het die waarde van gesondheid besef, en dat ek dit moet oppas. Maar mens leef ook met die wete dat ons wik maar God beskik. So ek probeer dat dit nie my lewe oorneem en dat ek nie in vrees daarvoor lewe nie.

5. Die Leeus-vroue se groepie verander die hele tyd. Is dit vir jou moeilik om gedurig afskeid te neem van die vrouens en weer aan te pas by ‘n nuwe groepie?

Ons was vir ‘n redelike tyd ‘n lekker klomp vrouens bymekaar (bestuur en spelers) en ook n spul kinders, so hierdie jaar was verseker n aanpassing met meeste van die wat weg is en heelwat nuwe jong meisies. Dis nooit lekker om te groet nie, maar dis maar die gang van die lewe. So bou mens weer nuwe vriendskappe. Die aard van ons mans se beroep is so dat mense kom en gaan. Ek sien egter uit om al die nuwe vrouens beter te leer ken.


Callie Cronje (wife of captain Ross Cronje)


1. How do you cope with a one year old, running your own business and with Ross being away a lot with the team?

It can be very challenging at times but I have a lot of support at home which makes life a lot easier when he is away, but he also makes up for it when he is home. He is very hands on and helps out as soon as he gets home from training.

2. Ross is reaching the end of his rugby career – are you excited about the next chapter of your lives?

Yes I am very excited for the next chapter. It isn’t going to be easy adapting to a different environment for him every day, but he is already so involved in the businesses that I think he is going to do so well. It is also going to be very sad to close this chapter as it has been a big part of our lives.

3. Being a rugby wife means that you spend a lot of time with different ladies who are in the same position that you are in. Have you made lifelong friends during this journey?

I have made incredible friends along the way that I will always be in contact with. It is also very hard when contracts come to an end, you always lose lots of amazing ladies that have become like sisters.

4. Are you still passionate about attending all of the games on Saturdays?

I still love coming to the games and supporting Ross. Not as easy to watch as it used to be as I have to look after our daughter and try watch some of the game to give Ross some feedback about how I thought the game went.

5. What has been your favourite memory with the Lions?

My favourite memory would be when the boys played in the Super Rugby final in Wellington and a group of ladies decided to travel half way around the world to support them. We just made the game in time after lots of delays and hiccups along the way but it was an incredible experience even though we only spent 10 hours in Wellington before heading back to SA.


Andriette Appelsamy (wife of Lions Rugby Co physio Preven Appelsamy)


1. Preven used to work at the Lions in the early 2000s, then left to do his own thing, and now he’s back. How did you feel about him coming back?

I was excited for him because I know this is where his passion truly lies. He’s always supported me in my career aspirations, so it was my turn to give back. It’s not always easy, but being part of the Lions family is a unique experience and I looked forward to it.

2. Who are some of your best friends in the rugby fraternity?

Definitely Iva (Elton Jantjies’ fiancé), we bonded quickly and have become true friends. It helps to be able to talk to women in similar circumstances and be able to support each other. We come from different worlds but have connected through our rugby lives and the ups and downs that go with it. Having said that, I pretty much make friends with everyone and love meeting the new girls every season, even though I’m decades older than them!!

3. Tell us a bit about what you do for a living.

I own an events company and specialise in corporate work only. This ranges from conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners, activations or golf days. I pretty much do it all. I worked in corporate for many years but after working for myself, I could never go back. Being an entrepreneur is what I live for and I do love my job.

4. With your kids being a bit older now, how difficult is it moving into the role of being a single parent when Preven is on tour with the team?

I take my hat off to all single parents out there with kids of any age. The short stints I have when Prev is away isn’t easy but having older kids does make a difference. My kids have actually become quite self-sufficient and even make me breakfast now. I also rope in grandparents and cousins whenever I need help so I’m grateful to have so much support. Somehow, it all tends to work.

5. What has been your favourite memory with the Lions?

I think it was losing the Super Rugby final at home, even though it was sad for us, it somehow brought everyone together, especially leading up to this big day. It was bitter sweet but I felt so good about the culture, the people and the team that fought so hard. It made me proud to be associated with the Lions, even if it’s just being Prev’s wife.

Annemie Bester

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