A native South African, Charmaine originally trained as a nurse later becoming a midwife, where she befriended the local wheelchair basketball team and a passion for Para sport was ignited. Charmaine went on to work for injured servicemen and women of the South African National Defence Force in Pretoria later becoming involved the Gauteng Disabled Sports Organisation before moving to Great Britain in 1999.

Once settled in England, Charmaine worked as National Events Manager at Disability Sport England, now Activity Alliance, before joining the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) in 2007 as Head of Operations. In 2012, Charmaine was appointed as Chief Operating Officer and finally CEO in 2016.

In 2023, Charmaine led the milestone merger of IWAS with the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association to become the sole International Organisation of Sport for the Disabled representing sports for people with physical impairments.

She also staunchly protected the history of our organisation within the Paralympic Movement. With a deep respect for the roots and legacy of our founder, Sir Ludwig Guttmann, Charmaine was tireless in her efforts to ensure the legacy was preserved, honoured, and carried forward with integrity.

World Abilitysport President, Rudi Van Den Abbeele, said: “On behalf of the World Abilitysport Governing Board and staff team, and on a personal level, I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Charmaine’s husband, family, and friends, including the many she gained through decades of unwavering dedication to Para sport.

“Charmaine devoted her whole career, and boundless energy, to being a strong advocate of Para athletes worldwide. From her early work in South Africa, she understood profoundly the transformative power of Para sport and carried that passion into everything she did across her career.

“As Chief Executive of IWAS and later World Abilitysport, she led the organisation through the delivery of countless Games and events, the integration of new sports, the expansion of our staff team, and the development of international partnerships. She was deeply respected and popular, particularly with our Members, whom she supported with genuine care.

“Charmaine, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your extraordinary service to the Paralympic Movement and to sport for people with impairments. Countless athletes have benefited from your steely determination and unbreakable resolve, qualities that shone through even in the most challenging moments. You will be sorely missed, not only for your professional leadership, but for the person you were.”

Andrew Parsons, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President, said: “I think everyone will be stunned and greatly saddened at Charmaine’s passing. On behalf of the IPC, I send our sincerest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.

“Charmaine was an absolute powerhouse, tremendously popular, and a role model for many within the Paralympic Movement. She had an almost encyclopaedia-like knowledge of Para sport, great energy, and a fantastic track record for getting things done.

“She was a fearless and highly effective female sports leader who balanced an immense sense of purpose with a fantastic sense of humour. There are many within the Paralympic Movement who owe their careers to Charmaine’s work. We all owe her a debt of gratitude, and she will be greatly missed by all.”

Charmaine leaves behind her husband, Jason, her dog Argon and two cats, Dizzy and Rascal whom she loved dearly.

Your condolences and memories of Charmaine can be shared here on our online condolence book.

Funeral arrangements, if open to non-family members, will be shared in due course.

World Abilitysport kindly thanks Members, partners and associates for their patience as the organisation navigates this immense shock and puts in place arrangements following Charmaine’s sudden passing. Updates will be shared when available and all enquiries can be sent to [email protected].