Bringing cricket into the townships

Twenty-five learners of the Gauteng Department of Education’s District 9, including 11 of Bovet Primary School in Alexandra, attended a cricket coaching clinic at Wanderers Club on March 7.

The cricket coaching clinic was hosted by Champions Drive, a non-profit organisation founded by David Mashiyi and included learners of Glenhazel and Lyndhurst primary schools.

Graham McMillan, a coach and board member of Wanderers Cricket Club had a session with the learners and told them all about the club and what they were going to gain from the clinic.

“We wanna make sure talented kids get a chance to polish their skills because cricket can be a career choice for them,” McMillan said.

The coaches of the schools and the learners said they were thrilled by this opportunity as they learned a lot about cricket. Bovet coach Thavhiwa Ambani said, “I feel so good about this opportunity as it will also allow me to teach my learners something new. It was unfortunate the weather didn’t allow us to play.”

According to Mashiyi, the programme was meant to help players prepare for matches set for September. “The teachers don’t know anything about cricket… many don’t have the equipment so we are getting the kids here so they can be fast-tracked into knowing cricket.

“The venue is safe and no one is expected to pay anything at all as all the activities are for free. We just want the kids to learn how to play cricket in the hope of one day producing the next Makhaya Ntini,” he said.