Club honours female cricketers for their commitment
Coach Mandla Nkosi received an award for his long service to the club, where he has coached since 2003.
Kwa-Thema – The Kwa-Thema Cricket Club held its awards ceremony last Saturday, and the female players took the spotlight.
Even though the club is still working hard to attract young females to the sport, some of their players have shown star qualities.
“I would love the opportunity to play internationally. With every stage, you realise it gets more challenging, but I am also up to the task. Every time I see players better than me, it inspires me to go back and work harder,” said Thando Zulu (19).
Thando is part of Eastern Storm and has been in several camps for the South Africa Women U16 and U19 teams.
“I started playing cricket when I was 12 after coach Mandla (Nkosi) came to our school to introduce the sport to us. I was not involved in any other sport.
“My family enjoys watching cricket, but I did not know it was available for me to play. It felt like what I saw on the screen was finally brought to me in real life,” she explained.
She has not looked back since. Mpumelelo Mashiloan (18) shares the same sentiments.
“There have been challenges throughout the journey, but receiving this award tells me my commitment and efforts have not gone unseen,” she said.
Coach Mandla Nkosi received an award for his long service to the club, where he has coached since 2003.
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“Cricket is my life. It has been such a fruitful journey for me,” he said.
Nkosi qualified as a cricket coach before he finished school.
“Soon after I started playing, I started attending coaching and umpiring courses,” he added.
He said he owes his success to Prince Thethe, the founder of the Kwa-Thema Cricket Club. Nkosi encouraged more girls to play cricket.
“Sport is great for children because it teaches them discipline. I believe all children should find a sport they can play, not just cricket,” he concluded.
