Cricket in South Africa is controlled and administered by the United Cricket Board of South Africa. The country is divided into eleven first class regions each with its own infrastructure.

The office of Amateur Cricket runs Youth and Development cricket. Each province has its own Development Manager The bulk of the sponsorship and other development grants filters through the UCB Amateur office to the provinces.

The UCB with the sponsors decide on projects and how the money should be spent.

The starting point of the Development Program is the Bakers Mini-Cricket program from age 5 - 10. Mini-Cricket is an easy and simplified version of the game that can be played on any reasonably smooth surface.

The basics of cricket disciplines are coached at this level but the emphasis falls on enjoyment and participation. Mini-Cricket festivals are very big events with between 300 - 700 kids participating depending on the space available.

After Mini-Cricket the kids move on to hardball cricket. At the U/12 level, regional tournaments are held. In other words a tournament is held in each of the eleven provinces.

All the provinces also divide areas in regions or zones each with sub-committees to run cricket in these areas. In most cases the chairmen of these committees form the central development committee of the provinces.

National tournaments are held from the age groups of U/13 (Standard Bank), U/15 (PG Bison), and U/19(Coca-Cola). Three-day competitions are also held for the U/19 players to have skills honed other than just limited overs cricket.

Another very important component is the development of facilities in cricket playing areas. Since this project was started in 1996 more than 500 middle pitches and nets were built. These facilities all consist of concrete pitches with artificial matting (PPC Cement).

Eleven new cricket ovals have also been built. Our goal is to establish 1000 new facilities by the year 2003, which will include 22 new cricket ovals.

Another important aspect of our Program is the bursary scheme. The idea is to take talented players and place them in an environment where they will receive the best cricket coaching and schooling.

At present we have +- 180 schools on this scheme. Many of these players have come through the program to achieve higher honours. In saying that we are also trying to establish new cricket schools in areas where there are none, to further spread the culture of the game. The idea is to teach and assist talented kids to develop their skills, in their own areas as well.

We also have a well established coaching academy. New coaches are taught the finer arts of coaching at The Bakers Coaching Academy. There are five different levels starting at the Basic Mini-Cricket course through to the very advanced level IV course.

Most of the provinces have academies that are up and running and proving successful. The best young cricketers from each program are assimilated into these academies.

We also have a very well established Plascon National Academy based in Johannesburg. The cream of the crop assemble for about four months for intensive training in the finer details of cricket and amongst other things are taught public speaking, dietary requirements, fitness etc.

The Development Program of the UCBSA has a good balance between developing the game and promoting excellence.