Boland |
Border |
Easterns |
Eastern Province |
Free State |
Griqualand West
Natal |
Northern Transvaal |
North West |
Transvaal |
Western Province
The Boland Cricket Board development programme
The development programme in the Boland has gone from strength to strength since
unity in 1992. Development structures are running efficiently in 10 regions, with
the Langeberg and Witzenberg areas the latest additions.Players from the
disadvantaged areas form more than 40 percent of teams from the U11 ranks through
to the most senior teams. South Africa A bowler Roger Telemachus - a product of
the highly successful Superjuice Academy - is a great inspiration. Artificial
pitches have been constructed in 15 towns and schools since 1995, giving more than
a thousand players access to their own facility through the PPC sponsorship. A new
facility has also been established in Pniel, through the UCB's development
fund.
The Border Cricket Board development programme
Field grading and net wicket devlopment underway in the Border region
The Border development
programme, under the auspices of the Border Cricket Board, is one of the jewels in
the UCB's development crown. Covering a vast area - most of it rural - it has
tapped into African cricketing traditions that go back more than 100 years in tiny
villages dotted around the countryside. It's one of the most productive development
regions in terms of national representation at provincial and national level, and
has become a role-model for other regions as far as the provision of basic
facilities are concerned. To date, 70 cricket nets and 72 middle pitches have been
built in the Border region. There are nine regions, which include East London, King
William's Town, Queenstown, Peddie, Middledrift, Keiskammahoek, Aliwal North and
Alice as well as parts of the vast rural area of Transkei. While Bakers Mini
Cricket is the launch pad for budding stars in the province, hardball cricket is
mainly sponsored by Mercedes-Benz, although there are also other smaller local
sponsors involved.
Easterns Cricket Union development programme
Easterns is one of
the UCB's newest cricketing regions, and in a relatively short period of time has
succeeded in establishing a vibrant development programme. An indication of the
success of the programme is that more than 25 players from the development ranks
have been representing their province at junior level. A proud innovation has been
the introduction of junior club cricket, and there are now over 100 teams,
reaching 3 000 children on the East Rand alone. Country districts cricket plays a
major role in the development activities of Easterns, which includes vast rural
areas of Mpumalanga. Apart from the national development sponsors, Easterns have
had meaningful support from Reumech OMC and Concor. Interest in cricket is growing
in all communities, and the development programme is largely responsible for
this.
Eastern Province Cricket Board development programme
The Eastern Province
development programme is divided into six regions, each with its own committee: PE
Township, PE Northern Areas, Humansdorp, Central Karoo, Winterberg and
Grahamstown. A series of tournaments have taken place this season, including the
annual tournament between Border Development and EP Development, four
inter-regional matches, and three games against sides from England. All four UCBSA
bursary recipients passed their various standards in 1996, while the sports'
management bursary recipients are doing well. All regions are playing Bakers Mini
Cricket on a fixture basis, and the EP Mini Cricket festival at St George's Park
provided the climax to a series of regional festivals. There has been a significant
increase in the number of schools from the previously disadvantaged communities
playing in the league. Twenty development players have represented various EP
age-group teams, with one boy being selected for the South African U19 squad.
Underpinning the whole programme is the generous support of Trust Bank. Since
their sponsorship started, EP has been able to broaden the scope of its
development programme, which is now a truly holistic one, providing a wonderful
outlet for boys in the region.
Free State Cricket Union development programme
Cricket development in the Free State has made great strides in recent years. With
the assistance of the Provincial Government, Bakers Mini Cricket has been
introduced into rural areas, where it has been embraced with huge enthusiasm by
the children. The number of schools playing Bakers Mini and Hardball cricket has
increased, and the programme is beginning to bear fruit, with a number of
promising young stars qualifying for junior provincial colours at various age
groups. Members of the elite development squads at U15 and U18 level receive
specialised coaching twice a week during winter at the Free State Indoor School.
Various courses and the development of new facilities have proceeded without any
hitches.
Griqualand West development programme
Griqualand West, with their
newly-appointed A Section status, have found additional cause to focus on their
development programme. A full-time development manager and an assistant have been
put in place, as well as a school of excellence where rising stars are coached
intensively to assist them in reaching their full potential. Coaching courses for
teachers are run on a regular basis, and the interest shown gives great
inspiration for development of the game, both in and outside the Kimberley area. A
winter coaching programme has been started at all schools in the townships,
whereby coaches are allocated every week. Joint ventures with the Kimberley City
Council and the UCB have resulted in the development of the Yorkshire Cricket
Club, where an entirely new field and clubhouse were built. PPC, in conjunction
with the UCB, has played a major role in developing much-needed facilities in the
disadvantaged areas, as a result of which 25 concrete strips and nets have been
built.
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The Yorkshire Cricket Club in Galashewe sports a new clubhouse, a new
playing surface and a new middle wicket. Mike Atherton's English team were
present at the official opening by the Premier of the Northern Cape Province,
Mr Mannie Dipico. Left: the middle wicket under construction. Right: ... and
near completion
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Natal Cricket Union development programme
Natal has split its development
structures into three main categories - Urban, Country Districts and Township
Development. Specialised coaching is provided at Kingsmead for talented players,
and a total of 18 players have represented Natal at provincial level, with two
going on to be short-listed for the National U15 side. Four players were given
cricket bursaries, and one of the recipients was selected for the South African
U19 tour to England and also represented Natal B. In one season six coaches
attended the Boston Sports' Management Course, and 419 coaches and course leaders
qualified through the Bakers Coaching Academies. Seventeen people sat for the
administration course, and 274 more people attended Mini Cricket courses during
the past year. The Union has constructed over 60 practice nets, 22 middle pitches,
and levelled four playing fields. In addition, at least 25 schools have
constructed their own cricket nets.
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This beautiful development at Orthman Road in Pietermaritzburg was partially
funded by revenue from international tours to South Africa |
Northern Transvaal Cricket Union development programme
The Northern Transvaal development programme is particularly notable
for the structures and facilities that have been developed in a very short period
of time. Bakers Mini Cricket courses are held on a regular basis, not only in
Pretoria, but also in various townships and rural areas. A first all-girls Bakers
Mini Cricket festival will also be held. A development school has been introduced
where specialist coaching is given at U13, U15, and U17 levels. Various
competitive matches are also organised for these teams on a scientific programme
for 10 months. The winter programme accommodates four development teams who
participate against other provinces in a winter league spread from March to
August. As far as facilities are concerned, the programme has realised 24 middle
pitches, 34 practice pitches as well as a stadium at Soshanguve - all in the space
of just one year. The bursary programme involves 25 boys who have shown tremendous
promise. One development player is captaining a junior team, while another has
been selected for a first team.
North West development programme
Cricket in the
North West is starting to take off. The winter coaching programme was extremely
full, with 16 courses being offered across the province from Mmabatho to Brits.
And a total of 154 teachers passed their exams, which means that the game will
start to expand in the region. A national first was achieved with the introduction
of Bakers Mini Cricket to school Physical Education periods at 120 primary
schools. This will help to accelerate the introduction of cricket. Three major
Bakers Mini Cricket festivals are held and a number of local festivals are also
staged, all of which are proving to be extremely popular and well attended. New
facilities have been built at Vryburg, Mmabatho, Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom
through the PPC/UCB scheme, with Zeerust, Fochville, Rustenburg and Ventersdorp
earmarked for Phase Two. Clubs are assisting the development programme by inviting
schoolboys to take part in coaching and practice sessions. Some boys are playing
club cricket while others have passed Bakers Mini Cricket coaching
courses.
Transvaal Cricket Board development programme
Transvaal cricket
development began in Soweto in 1986 - with no cricket culture in the black
townships - and has grown to 14 regions with 110 development teams which play in
the Greater Johannesburg Schools league. More than 50 cricketers from the
development programme (sponsored regionally by Norwich Life) have represented
Transvaal at school level over the past five years. Three development youngsters
have represented Transvaal B, while six have reached Colts level. A further two
players have represented SA U19 and two the SA U15 team. Sixty young development
players are now qualified coaches working in the programme. A further 25 boys are
enjoying bursaries at established cricketing schools. A feature of the Transvaal
programme is its winter project, with more than 5 000 children participating in
Bakers Mini Cricket leagues and many other talented youngsters attending
"Operation Excellence" courses. In all, a total of 80 nets and 40 middle pitches
have been built, with major cricket ovals in Soweto, Alexandra and Kagiso.
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The Alex Sports Club was the first sports club of its
kind in the Alexandra township. A multi-sports development, it has tennis
courts, basketball courts, cricket nets, and a spacious, well-equipped
clubhouse with changerooms and a bar facility |
Western Province Cricket Association development programme
The Western Province programme
runs as an integral part of the broader existing Development Programme. A Black
Township co-ordinator was appointed to run cricket and liaise with the Township
Forum. The MTN sub-regional scheme creates opportunities within the areas where
the players live, involves teachers and creates incentives for players and
teachers. Talented players are then sent on to regional coaching sessions. A total
of 335 schools in 37 regions play Bakers Mini Cricket, which equates to about 5600
children playing each week. The U11 Willards Development Week proved popular, with
two teams being selected to play Boland and tour to the Southern Cape. A
Post-School programme, through liaison with tertiary institutions and overseas
clubs, ensures that promising players are not lost to cricket. About 90 percent of
representative players selected at all levels since 1993 are still playing. A
number of these players have gone on to represent the Superjuice Academy, WP B or
the National Academy. Through the facilities programme, most clubs have practice
facilities and a playing area. Recently, the focus has been on schools in
disadvantaged areas, where over R100 000 was spent in the past season.
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