The Young Guns Cricket Academy specialises in the development of young cricketers and equipping them with the necessary skills to succeed at the sport they love.
The academy was started in 2004 by former Border cricket player and coaching supremo Frans Bezuidenhout, who has coached many cricketers who have played at the highest level.
“Giving back was one of my priorities. I love coaching youngsters. At that time, I was coaching the Avion Park Cricket Club premier side when some parents approached me and asked if I would be interested in coaching young players.
“I had been working at Transnet for 30 years and I decided to leave. Within 24 hours, I had 40 children who signed with the academy. That’s how the journey began,” he said.
The academy focuses on private one-on-one training. Bezuidenhout told the City Times that the benefits of this include improved technique and tactics, efficient decision-making and better overall performance.
“We are transferring the skills we learnt as cricketers to these players. We are exposing them to an elite level of cricket. It gives us pride to say we have taken the children and showed them what they can do with their lives.”
Over the years, the academy has produced players who have gone on to shine locally and internationally. Their alumni include Danie Rossouw, Madison Landsman and Wesley Marshall who are shining in the provincial set-up.
According to Bezuidenhout, the academy has 140 players.
Coach Ryan Pfeifer told the paper they are giving the children opportunities they didn’t have when they were younger.
“I wasn’t exposed to a lot of coaching as I only started playing when I was 16. To give back to these youngsters and teach and give them the opportunity to play cricket at a good level is phenomenal.”
Pfeifer, who is also a product of the academy, said it’s critical to master the basics of the sport from a young age.
“It’s going to put you a step ahead, which means you are going to be playing good cricket from the get-go. It builds your confidence and enhances your development as you grow.”
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He believes that private training is helpful as it allows the coach to focus on practical and important details.
“We get down into the nitty-gritty and show the kids how to properly hold their hands. You can do drills to correct certain skill sets and you can develop a player’s mindset in a more focused manner.”
The academy is based at the Benoni Northerns Sports Club and training starts from 14:00 to 19:00 every weekday.
Anyone who is willing to join may contact Frans Bezuindenhout on 072 279 5119, Ryan Pfeifer on 083 565 1475, Rian van der Merwe on 061 008 9292 and Lee Coetzee on 082 680 5032.
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