Etwatwa Cricket Club promoted to premier league despite challenges
“We achieved this while training on a tennis court. But we can’t complain. We had to get on with our business and compete.”
A lack of cricket facilities and resources hasn’t dampened the Etwatwa Cricket Club (ECC) players’ spirit, drive and enthusiasm for the sport.
Their determination, commitment and hunger to succeed catapulted them to the premier division of the Eastern Cricket Union after winning the promotional league last season.
But the feat was not easily achieved. It took a change of management and a strategy steeped in discipline and self-reflection for the club to gain promotion after many years of trying.
It was a strategy adopted by chairperson Thabang Ditshego upon his appointment to the role last year.
Ditshego demanded total commitment from the players and coaches while urging them to pull in one direction for the club to succeed.
“We’ve won it at last,” said Ditshego.
“This is an achievement that will bring opportunities for the players, and there are different things the club will benefit by just from being in the premier league.”
They faced many challenges on their way to the championship, but Ditshego credited the new management structure for breathing life into the club.
“We tried our best. The season was difficult and challenging. We don’t have resources. We had to limp our way up and ensure everyone understood the bigger picture.”
Despite their lack of facility and resources, in their 14 league games, they did not lose any and won 11, while three matches were rained out.
“We achieved this while training on a tennis court. But we can’t complain. We had to get on with our business and compete.”
According to Ditshego, the club couldn’t have achieved this without the wisdom of veteran coach Patrick Famu, who looks after nine divisions.
Famu said their success came about by improvising and working with what they had.
“We tried to use the resources we have. We improvise, and we don’t complain. We are using our limited resources to meet the standard,” Famu said.
“Right now, we need practice nets. We play against very competitive teams. To meet that level, our players must have sessions on cricket nets.”
As the senior side prepares for the premier league, treasurer Moses Mngomezulu said they need a psychologist to prepare the players mentally for competition in the elite division.
“We are self-reliant. We need sponsorship to run the programme and a proper training space. But what our senior players need right now is a psychologist to prepare them for the premier league,” Mngomezulu said.
With over 150 players in nine divisions, Ditshego said achieving premier league status was the start of good things to come.
“Our vision is to produce a national team player. We’ve got players who can achieve that. They just need an environment where they can thrive. Getting our own oval would be a big boost for the club.”
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