CEOs in Sport Association
Connecting sport leaders, executives, and decision-makers to drive excellence, innovation, and collaboration in the business of sport.
Who We Are
The CEOs in Sport Association was founded in 2019 with a vision to build a professional network that strengthens leadership, collaboration, and excellence within the South African sports industry.
The Association was established by its founding members:
Together, they envisioned a platform that would connect senior leaders, encourage knowledge sharing, and promote innovation across the sporting landscape.
Today, our membership comprises CEOs, general managers, directors, administrators, and other industry leaders who are committed to advancing the business, governance, and sustainable growth of sport in South Africa.
Through conferences, panel discussions, webinars, executive networking opportunities, and leadership engagements, the Association provides a trusted platform for collaboration, professional development, and meaningful industry dialogue across all sporting codes.
COLLABORATION
INTEGRITY
INNOVATION
To connect and empower sports executives to shape a sustainable and progressive sports industry.
To be the leading network of sports leaders driving excellence, integrity, and transformation in sport.
Our Team
Each leader brings years of experience and a passion for advancing professional excellence in sport management and leadership.
President
Prof. Faul is a highly respected leader in South African professional sports administration, with over 20 years of executive experience. He currently serves as CEO of Titans Cricket.
Vice-President
Dr. Mashego-Skaal is a seasoned executive leader and professional director with more than 25 years of experience spanning sport and recreation management…
Executive Member
Eddy Fwamba is a behavioural marketer and fan intelligence strategist with over 17 years of experience across sport, entertainment and brand marketing.
Executive Member
Greg Fredericks is a highly experienced sport administrator, educator, and governance specialist with extensive leadership experience across government, sport federations, and…
Executive Member
Heinrich Strydom is an accomplished sports executive and Chartered Accountant with more than a decade of leadership experience in South African cricket administration.
Executive Member
Jaco Beukes is a qualified Chartered Accountant with more than two decades of leadership experience across finance, human resources, and sport commercialisation.
Executive Member
Luxolo September is a sports industry executive with over 15 years of experience in top sports organisations, including FIFA, COSAFA, the Premier Soccer League, and CAF. He currently serves as Head of Operations and…
Executive Member
Adv. Davids is an accomplished Advocate of the High Court of South Africa with extensive expertise in environmental law, sports law, and regulatory governance.
Executive Member
Niresh is an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, practising at Maisels Chambers 3 in Johannesburg. He was called to the bar in 2021 and is a member of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates.
Executive Member
Dr. Reuphillan Pelser is an executive advisor, leadership strategist, and organisational behaviour specialist who works with senior leaders and organisations to strengthen strategy execution…
Executive Member
Prof Cloete is a leading sports consultant, legal scholar, and academic whose work has significantly influenced sport governance, law, and administration in South Africa. He joined the University of Pretoria in…
Executive Member
Dr. Toefy is an accomplished academic, educational consultant, and lecturer at GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science), where she has taught since 2018. She is passionate about helping…
Membership
Membership is open to all individuals and organizations involved in the management, administration, or commercial side of sport.
Student
Individual
Corporate
Events & Conferences
The Association hosts a variety of events throughout the year, ranging from conferences to networking sessions and online leadership forums.
Exploring leadership, innovation, and achieving success beyond traditional performance measures — featuring thought-provoking presentations, networking opportunities, and discussions with influential leaders from across the sporting industry.
Southern Sun Newlands, Cape Town
Past Events
NOVEMBER · 2024
FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Delved into commercial, operational, and performance aspects of South African football — from talent development and sponsorship to governance and fan engagement.
AUGUST · 2025
ANEW Hotel Green Point / DHL Stadium
Explored how technology, psychology, and creativity are redefining the sports experience — from AI and fan engagement to digital broadcasting.
APRIL · 2024
NWU Sports Village
Focused on the science and strategy behind elite performance — sponsorship, facility management, banned substances, coaching and athlete welfare.
2024
Century City Conference Centre
Showcased how innovation and technology are transforming the sports industry — digital fan engagement, data analytics, facility innovation.
MAY · 2025
SuperSport Park
An annual highlight for sports professionals — an informal setting to connect with peers, share ideas, and foster collaboration within the South African sports ecosystem.
2023
Conference Venue
Explored how sports organizations can build long-term resilience — ESG principles, financial sustainability, renewable energy, and brand responsibility.
Partner with us
We collaborate with brands and organizations that share our vision for advancing sport through leadership and innovation. Our conferences and events offer high-value exposure and engagement opportunities.
◆ Event Sponsorships
News & Insights
Catch up on the latest updates, announcements, and insights from our members and partners.
The sports industry operates in an environment defined by opportunity,
High performance is often measured through visible outcomes: results, wins,
For decades, sponsorship in sport followed a familiar logic. Brands
Get in Touch
Whether you’d like to become a member, attend an event, or explore partnership opportunities — our team is here to help.
Prof. Jacques Faul
President
Prof. Faul is a highly respected leader in South African professional sports administration, with over 20 years of executive experience. He currently serves as CEO of Titans Cricket, is an Associate Professor at the North-West University Business School, and sits on the North-West University Council. He is also a founding member of the CEOs in Sport Association.
His career spans multiple top-level leadership roles, including CEO of the Northerns Cricket Union, Acting CEO of Cricket South Africa (2012–2013, 2019), General Manager at Lions Cricket for eight years, and nearly a decade as CEO of North West Cricket. His leadership has had a lasting impact on South African cricket administration.
An accomplished academic, Prof. Faul earned his PhD in Economics and Management Science from North-West University (2013–2018) and completed an Executive Sports Management program at the University of Witwatersrand (2007–2008). He has lectured internationally, including at Cambridge University, and published his book Crisis Management in Sport in 2023.
Prof. Faul's extensive experience as a sportsperson, executive leader, academic, and consultant in stakeholder management makes him one of the most influential figures in South African sport. He is also a qualified mediator and holds a Master of Laws (LLM) and MBA.
He continues to shape sport leadership in South Africa through his vision, expertise, and commitment to excellence, driving both professional cricket and broader sport development initiatives in the country.
Dr. Hajira Mashego-Skaal
Vice-President
Dr. Mashego-Skaal is a seasoned executive leader and professional director with more than 25 years of experience spanning sport and recreation management, public sector leadership, academia, entrepreneurship, and corporate governance. She currently serves as Director of Sport and Recreation at Tshwane University of Technology, where she leads institutional sport strategy, oversees facilities and resources, and drives programmes that advance student-athlete development, health, gender equity, and community wellbeing.
Dr. Mashego-Skaal has held several senior leadership roles across government and sport institutions, including serving as Director for Scientific Support at Sport and Recreation South Africa and Director for Provincial Sport and Recreation in Mpumalanga. Her work has focused on athlete development systems, talent identification programmes, research, and anti-doping collaboration with the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport.
An experienced board leader, she currently serves as Chairperson of the Youth Bridge Trust Foundation NPC and a board member of the Fetola Foundation and University Sport Company (Pty) Ltd. She previously served as Deputy Chairperson of the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport and as a member of the Ministerial Advisory Panel for Netball.
Dr. Mashego-Skaal holds a PhD in Human Movement Science from North-West University and a Master of Public Health (cum laude) from University of the Western Cape. She also completed executive education in social entrepreneurship at Gordon Institute of Business Science and formal governance training through the Professional Director Programme at the Institute of Directors South Africa.
She is widely recognised for her leadership in strengthening governance in sport, advancing youth and community development, and building sustainable sport and wellness ecosystems.
Eddy Fwamba
Executive Member
Eddy Fwamba is a behavioural marketer and fan intelligence strategist with over 17 years of experience across sport, entertainment and brand marketing.
He helps sports properties, rights holders and brands make smarter commercial decisions by understanding fan behaviour. Most emerging sports organisations in Africa are building brands and chasing partnerships without truly understanding who their fans are, what drives their engagement, or how to use that data commercially. Eddy helps solve that problem.
His work sits at the intersection of behavioural marketing and sports commercial strategy, helping organisations build fan data ownership, develop behavioural fan profiles, and turn those insights into stronger brand positioning, more effective fan engagement, and more compelling partnership propositions.
Across his career, Eddy has worked with organisations including Nigeria Cricket Federation, SAIL, Titans Cricket, Cricket South Africa, ICC, Cricket Namibia and SuperSport, helping shape strategies grounded in how fans actually think and behave.
What sets his work apart is the focus on capability building. He doesn't create dependency he equips teams with the frameworks and analytical skills to drive their own fan intelligence internally. When a client he trained two years ago can segment their fanbase and match those profiles to commercial partners without picking up the phone, that's a successful engagement.
Eddy believes the future of sports marketing in Africa belongs to organisations that understand behaviour better, not those that shout louder.
Gregory Fredericks
Executive Member
Greg Fredericks is a highly experienced sport administrator, educator, and governance specialist with extensive leadership experience across government, sport federations, and major international sporting events. He holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Manchester and has also studied in the field of education at the University of South Africa and Dower Training College.
Greg has held several senior leadership roles in the public and sport sectors. He served as Chief Director at the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa for 10 years, where he also acted as Director-General on a number of occasions. Earlier in his career, he served as a Member of Parliament in the Parliament of South Africa.
He played a key role in the successful delivery of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, serving within the leadership of the Local Organising Committee and later as General Manager of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Trust. He has also been involved in infrastructure and legacy initiatives through the SAFA Infrastructure Development Foundation.
Greg has served in leadership and governance roles across several sport organisations, including as President and board member of the Border Cricket Board, the United School Sports Association of South Africa, and the South African Hockey Board. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Gauteng Cricket Board in 2013 and currently works as a sports consultant while continuing his involvement in sport legacy and development programmes.
Throughout his career, Greg has represented South Africa internationally on official visits to numerous countries, contributing to global sport collaboration and development initiatives.
Heinrich Strydom
Executive Member
Heinrich Strydom is an accomplished sports executive and Chartered Accountant with more than a decade of leadership experience in South African cricket administration. Known for combining strong financial expertise with a deep passion for the game, he has built a reputation for driving sustainable growth and strengthening cricket structures at both franchise and provincial level.
He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Dolphins Cricket, where he leads one of the country’s premier franchises based at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium. In this role, he oversees the professional franchise as well as the broader KwaZulu-Natal Coastal and Inland cricket structures, requiring both strategic leadership and operational oversight.
Heinrich’s career in cricket administration began in 2009 when he joined North West Cricket Union as Financial Manager. In 2012, he became the youngest CEO of a South African cricket affiliate at the time and also served as General Manager of Lions Cricket Union at Wanderers Stadium. In 2017, he again made history when he was appointed CEO of the Dolphins franchise, becoming the youngest CEO of a South African cricket franchise.
A qualified CA(SA), Heinrich holds a Master’s degree in Taxation, an MBA, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from North-West University. As a former cricketer who progressed through the Cricket South Africa pipeline, he brings a valuable dual perspective to his leadership — understanding the needs of both players and administrators.
He remains committed to building strong organisations, developing people, and ensuring that the teams and structures he leads are stronger and more sustainable for the future.
Jaco Beukes
Executive Member
Jaco Beukes is a qualified Chartered Accountant with more than two decades of leadership experience across finance, human resources, and sport commercialisation. Known for his strategic insight and hands-on leadership style, he brings significant commercial expertise to the sport industry.
Jaco joined SAIL in 2004 as an Investment Manager after spending five years in England working with multinational financial institutions. Prior to that, he gained experience as a brand manager at Glasfit. His diverse professional background spans hospitality, finance and banking, government institutions, and the sporting sector.
He quickly progressed into senior leadership roles at SAIL, serving as Chief Operating Officer from 2007 to 2012. During this time he also held COO responsibilities for both CIRCA and Navitute. In 2013, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of SAIL Rights Commercialisation (Pty) Ltd, where he has since led the organisation through sustained double-digit growth, strengthening its position as one of South Africa’s leading sports marketing and commercialisation companies.
Jaco holds a Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree in Accounting and Finance from University of Pretoria and further qualifications in human resource management. Over the course of his career he has served on the boards of multiple major sports brands, contributing strategic guidance in areas such as governance, risk management, commercial growth, and stakeholder engagement.
His financial acumen, commercial insight, and commitment to building strong partnerships continue to make him a respected leader within the sport business landscape.
Luxolo September
Executive Member
Luxolo September is a sports industry executive with over 15 years of experience in top sports organisations, including FIFA, COSAFA, the Premier Soccer League, and CAF. He currently serves as Head of Operations and Media Relations at CAF, where he oversees project management, commercial and TV rights, event operations, content management, media licensing, communications, and strategic development.
In addition to his sports administration career, September has pursued his passion for innovation by founding a start-up agency with his brother and associates. His contributions to the sport industry have been widely recognised, including being named “Sport Industry Personality of the Year” at the 2018 SA Sports Industry Awards in South Africa, reflecting his significant impact on shaping the industry.
September is also the founding Chairman of the uLwazi Project, a non-profit organisation focused on education and sport in the Eastern Cape. He serves on several other boards in South Africa, contributing his expertise in leadership, governance, and strategy to strengthen sport and community initiatives.
His professional experience spans senior roles across FIFA, CAF, PSL, and other organisations, including acting General Manager for media, broadcast, and CRM at the Premier Soccer League, Senior Manager at FIFA for the 2014 World Cup, and Head of TV/Broadcasting for CAF. September combines his operational expertise with entrepreneurial ventures, including founding LIMAr Africa Agency and directing Tsomo-Kei Farming, reflecting a commitment to both sport and broader community development.
Educated at University of the Witwatersrand and Walter Sisulu University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Studies and Communication and has completed leadership and finance programmes, equipping him with a strong foundation in management, communications, and governance.
Adv. Marcia Nompumelelo Davids
Executive Member
Adv. Davids is an accomplished Advocate of the High Court of South Africa with extensive expertise in environmental law, sports law, and regulatory governance. She combines her legal practice with active roles in environmental management and sports administration, bringing a multidimensional perspective to legal and governance challenges.
She currently serves as an Environmental Officer, ensuring sustainable practices and compliance at motorsport events, while also acting as a Court Member for Motorsport South Africa and a Tribunal Member for Cricket South Africa. In these roles, she adjudicates disputes, interprets regulations, advises on governance improvements, and enforces compliance, integrating legal rigor with ethical oversight and sustainability principles.
She contributes her expertise to governance and fiduciary responsibilities as a Trustee of the Lesedi Drilling Employees Share Trust. Marcia has also been involved in legislative drafting, policy development, and advisory roles for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and the Presidential Climate Commission, contributing to national frameworks on energy, climate change, and environmental governance.
Her career is underpinned by an exceptional academic record, including an LLB from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, an LLM and multiple specialized certificates in environmental, sports, and international law from the University of Pretoria and University of the Witwatersrand, and an ongoing LLD in Environmental Law. Marcia’s combination of legal acumen, governance expertise, and commitment to ethical, sustainable, and inclusive practices makes her a respected leader across legal, environmental, and sporting sectors.
Adv. Niresh Loopoo
Executive Member
Niresh is an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, practising at Maisels Chambers 3 in Johannesburg. He was called to the bar in 2021 and is a member of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates, where he focuses on legal practice with an emphasis on dispute resolution and sports law.
Niresh has a strong academic foundation, having earned an LLB from the University of South Africa, completed LLM credits in Copyright, Patent, and Trade Mark Law, and obtained a Certificate in Sports Law from the University of Pretoria. He is currently expanding his expertise through advanced programs in Alternative Dispute Resolution and South African Business Rescue.
He holds professional certifications as an Accredited Arbitrator and Commercial Mediator through the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa, and membership in INSOL International and the South African Restructuring and Insolvency Practitioners Association NPC (SARIPA), reflecting his capability in commercial and insolvency matters. Niresh’s combination of advocacy, arbitration, and specialized legal knowledge positions him as a versatile practitioner within South African legal and commercial landscapes.
Dr. Reuphillan Pelser
Executive Member
Dr. Reuphillan Pelser is an executive advisor, leadership strategist, and organisational behaviour specialist who works with senior leaders and organisations to strengthen strategy execution, leadership capability, and decision-making in complex environments.
She previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Afriski Mountain Resort in Lesotho, where she led the strategic and operational management of Southern Africa’s premier mountain resort and contributed to the development of winter sport and mountain tourism in the region.
Her work now focuses on selective executive advisory and coaching engagements, supporting CEOs, executive teams, and board-level leaders in translating leadership intent into sustained organisational performance. Dr. Pelser’s approach integrates organisational behaviour, leadership development, and behavioural science to strengthen accountability and execution at the top of organisations.
She holds a PhD in Organisational Behaviour and an MBA in Technology Management and contributes to leadership development internationally through lecturing and executive education.
Prof. Rian Cloete
Executive Member
Prof Cloete is a leading sports consultant, legal scholar, and academic whose work has significantly influenced sport governance, law, and administration in South Africa. He joined the University of Pretoria in 1993 and served as Head of the Department of Procedural Law for 14 years. Prof Cloete has built a distinguished career that bridges academic excellence with practical application in sport.
In 2002, Prof Cloete established the Sport and Entertainment Law in Africa Centre, where he serves as Director. Under his leadership, the Centre has become a premier institution for sports law in South Africa, recognized both nationally and internationally for its research, advisory services, and specialized training programs.
Prof Cloete has extensive experience advising and representing South Africa’s major sporting bodies, including Cricket South Africa (CSA), South African Rugby Union (SARU), South African Football Association (SAFA), Athletics South Africa (ASA), Netball South Africa (NSA), and Boxing South Africa (BSA).
Beyond legal advisory work, Prof Cloete contributes to sports governance through multiple tribunals and professional bodies. He has served as Disciplinary Commissioner for CSA since 2008 and is a member of the BSA Disciplinary Committee. Additionally, he serves on the CSA Agent Accreditation Committee and was appointed to the CSA Technical Committee.
Prof Cloete’s academic foundation includes a Doctorate in Intellectual Property Law from UNISA, an LLM in International Sports Law and Practice from De Montfort University, and advanced leadership studies at GIBS Business School. He also holds multiple law degrees from the University of Pretoria. His combined expertise in law, sport, and governance allows him to make meaningful contributions to the growth, integrity, and professionalism of South African sport.
Dr. Tracey Toefy
Executive Member
Dr. Toefy is an accomplished academic, educational consultant, and lecturer at GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science), where she has taught since 2018. She is passionate about helping students achieve success in their studies by developing academic skills, particularly in the areas of research design, academic reading and writing, and business strategy. In addition to her lecturing duties, she led the Pre-doctoral Coursework Programme at GIBS from 2017 to 2020, supporting postgraduate students in building a strong foundation for advanced research.
Beyond her role at GIBS, Tracey has extensive experience as an educational consultant. Since 2010, she has specialized in practical skills for academic success, working with numerous Masters and Doctoral candidates in the field of management. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for Education Africa, contributing to the advancement of educational initiatives in South Africa.
Tracey’s academic journey includes a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Linguistics from the University of Cape Town, where her research focused on the effects of post-apartheid social and educational change on the vowel system of English in Cape Town’s Coloured community. She further enhanced her expertise with a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Corporate Strategy from GIBS Business School. Her scholarly work has included postdoctoral research, statistical data analysis, and publication of research papers, as well as lecturing in topics such as Statistics for Linguistics and Sociophonetics.
Earlier in her career, Tracey lectured Academic Literacy across multiple faculties, including Humanities, Commerce, Engineering, and Health Sciences. She designed and delivered standalone academic literacy courses, facilitated tutorials, conducted assessments, and provided one-on-one consultations to develop students’ reading and writing skills. Her commitment to education extends to mentorship roles, including supporting initiatives such as the Twenty30 mentorship programme in schools.
Tracey combines rigorous academic knowledge, practical teaching experience, and a deep commitment to student development, making her a valued educator and mentor in higher education and academic consultancy.
