The name Cherry-Ann Fraser oftentimes flies under the radar or gets lost in Guyana’s most recent sporting catalog, but she is easily one of the leading women in sports locally.
Blessed with undeniable athletic virtues, Fraser has represented Guyana at volleyball, most recently in 2019 in French Guiana at the 2019 Inter-Guianas championship and cricket for which she’s most known for.
The 20-year-old, who recently returned from the ICC women’s World Cup in Australia, said the opportunity was refreshing and she longs for more although she didn’t get a chance to go on the park.
Now back home and continuing her work to satisfy her sports pilgrimage, Fraser said she wants to see more emphasis placed on developing female sport.
She called for female athletes to be equally respected and recognised like their male counterparts.
“I think the opportunity to play more cricket via such avenues as leagues [is important]. Yes, the game has grown but I still think more could be done, and adding to that, I think more respect and recognition on the professional front is needed since, as compared to our male counterparts, we are significantly less respected and recognised,” the athlete told Stabroek Sport.
To understand her desire to see that women are given their fair share of opportunities, you have to delve into her dynamic sports background.
Fraser explained that her interest in the outdoors peaked as an eight-year-old, playing the old traditional softball scrubbies.
Ten years on and merely two years ago, she found a way to escape her cautious sporting ambitions after completing her secondary education and began to ponder more about life as a pro athlete.
“I grew up playing a lot of backyard and softball cricket but at that point, up until I was about 18, I think or I would say I just liked the sport as opposed to having that passion and drive for it,’ she said.
The former St Rose’s High School student added: “I wanted to finish school first and it wasn’t until then, that I said alright I will commit myself to this sport and believe that I can have a career out of it.
“I think it was after that commitment that my love and passion developed. From the U-19 level to here.”
Although her childhood desire was always to wear the maroon, it was the serves and blocks on the volleyball pitch which gave her the initial taste of representing this nation.
Her motivation, as anyone could imagine has changed and she is now laser-focused on her cricket career.
“I started playing volleyball before cricket. I was 16-years-old when I began playing volleyball and 18-years-old when I began playing hardball cricket…
“Volleyball is still an interest of mine. I love the game and still play occasionally but cricket is my priority as I hope to make a career out of cricket,” the multi-talented athlete explained.
Volleyball laid the foundation for some of the success she reaps today on the cricket field. The opportunity to develop multiple skills and competencies that are transferrable tops the list.
Additionally, volleyball kept Fraser in top shape and taught her the value of being a team player, a necessary virtue needed as a cricketer.
