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The saying ‘sport is in the genes’ perfectly describes Sharon Siljeur (née Alexander).
FEROZ SHAIK
THE saying ‘sport is in the genes’ perfectly describes Sharon Siljeur (née Alexander). One of eight siblings, Siljeur shone as an athlete in the 70’s, excelled in hockey during the 80’s, and represented Western Province in both softball and netball.
Her family was equally athletic: her brother Andre played professional football with Santos and was also an athlete and baseball player; Tony was involved in baseball; and David played football for Blackheath and at district level, while her sisters played hockey. She married Roderick Siljeur, who played football for Glenville and Clarewood.
Like many children of her generation, Siljeur honed her sports skills on the streets before attending Thornton Road Primary School and Oaklands High School. At Oaklands High, she not only starred in athletics but also initiated the hockey programme with the support of her physical education teacher.
‘I started hockey at Oaklands. I approached the physical education teacher at the time who allowed me to get it going,’ said Siljeur.
Siljeur’s athletic prowess was evident in events such as the 100m, 200m and long jump, where she competed for both her school and the Spartans Amateur Athletics Club. Between 1970 and 1977 she was at her peak, representing the Western Province Senior Schools Sports Union (WPSSSU) and the WP Amateur Athletic Union (WPAAU). She was also a champion in the South African Senior Schools Sports Association (SASSSA) and the South African Amateur Athletics Board (SAAAB), setting records in the 100m, 200m, and long jump and winning the SA Board senior ladies sprint titles in 1977.
Her notable rivals included Audrey Louw, Frances Williams and Norma Joseph from Alexander Sinton High School, Shariefa Bardien from Livingstone High School, and Sharon Hanslo from Wittebome High School.
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After retiring from athletics in the early 80’s, Siljeur continued to excel in hockey, playing for St Raphael’s Hockey Club and representing Western Province until 1988. She also participated in the South African Council of Sport (SACOS) festival.
Post-retirement, Siljeur transitioned into umpiring and administration, earning her SA colours as a hockey umpire in 1991 and later becoming a development officer. She played a pivotal role in the new structure post-1991, working with St Raphael’s Hockey Club and later merging with Unicorn. As a development officer, she worked in areas such as Langa, Gugulethu, Philippi and Lavender Hill, and proudly mentored Lungile Tsolekile, the first Olympian from Langa.
‘I was part of the new structure post 1991 as a hockey umpire. Still with St Raphael’s Hockey club post unity, we went into the second highest league before merging with Unicorn. I then worked as a development officer with WP hockey. I can also say that the first Olympian from Langa, Lungile Tsolekile, came through my hands,’ said a proud Siljeur.
Siljeur also served as an exco member of SA Hockey, managed the SA team, and had the honour of inspecting facilities in Beijing before the Olympics.
‘I was also part of SA Hockey as an exco member, managed the SA team and also had the honour of going to Beijing before the Olympics to inspect the facilities,’ added Siljeur.
In 2003, she received her master’s green blazer, though she had mixed feelings. ‘We only received a badge and not the blazer. We had to get out own blazers. I had to borrow one for the night,’ she said.
Reflecting on her time representing SACOS, Siljeur remarked, ‘It was a huge achievement. We were restricted and did not feel we were the best at the time because we did not compete with everyone and could not really go further in our careers.’
Now 68, Siljeur retired in 2023 after 20 years in administration. She lives in Grassy Park, has two sons and three grandchildren, and enjoys spending most of her time with her grandchildren.
(Photo ATHLETICS CLIPBOARD –FACEBOOK)
