Young cricket talent shines

Sunnyridge Primary School’s Jayde Symons (12) is part of the South African cricket team which will fly off to Australia, in September.

This u-18 team is the same one of which Parkhill Gardens’ Samantha Schutte is a member (GCN, May 8).

“The team for which Symons has been selected will represent South Africa at the 2015 Indoor Cricket World Cup, from September 20 to October 5,” said Symons’s mathematics teacher and cricket coach, Blessing Mupfumisi.

“I started playing cricket when I was in Grade Two, in 2011, but I was introduced to indoor cricket last year,” said Symons.

“Indoor cricket is a lot faster and more active.”

Mupfumisi said Symons is a talented and versatile player.

“She is an all-rounder; she’s a wicketkeeper in the senior mixed schools team this year, she also bowls and she is also very good with the bat,” he said.

“I must say, to me it didn’t come as a surprise when she made it to the South African team, because she is vivacious and does her best in everything.

“I would say she earned it.”

Symons told the GCN that she was invited to try out for the national team.

“Last year, my friend’s parents took us for indoor trials at the Edenvale Action Sports Arena and then, after the season, my mother received a phone call earlier this year, telling her that I was invited to come for trials for the national team,” she said.

“There were three trial sessions, with the first one being in January and the last in March.”

When asked how the news of her selection made her feel, Symons said it still hadn’t sunk in.

“I still can’t believe it yet, my mother was there when we got the news and it actually made her cry,” she added.

“The first person I called was Coach Mupfumisi, to let him know I made it.”

“At first we couldn’t believe it, but we are very proud of her,” said Marianna Odendaal, Sunnyridge Primary School’s principal.

“The other interesting factor is that she is 12 and the other team members are 17.”

“I am actually the youngest and the shortest and have a nickname, ‘Shorty’,” joked Symons.

The Grade Six Sunnyridge Primary School pupil said she used to follow cricket before she started playing it.

“I used to watch a lot of women’s cricket and thought to myself that I can actually do this sport – and the rest is history,” she explained.

“Last year, I played for the Edenvale Action Arena during the autumn season and the team actually won the league.”

Symons agreed with Odendaal that she will not be representing only the country, but the school, as well.

“This will bring some glam to the school; we have an international board where we put the pupils’ names in the respective sporting codes in which they represented the school on an international level,” said Odendaal.

“Symons is among the children who are ambassadors in every way at school.”

Mupfumisi also said Symons is among the top academic achievers at the school.

Among other accolades, the young cricketer has claimed a top 10 position since Grade Four and, when she was in Grade Three, she received the Principal’s Award.

“It is also important to note that Symons is a strong academic achiever,” he said.

“Her achievements in both academics and sports embodies the school’s motto ‘In Ardua Petit’, basically meaning reach for the stars and you serve your community,” said Odendaal.

“Once she gets her gear we will have a special assembly and recognise what she has achieved, and obviously our blessings will go with her.

“She really is the kind of child who has always excelled.

“We received a very good report from her pre-school, saying that she already had colours at pre-primary level.

“She will receive half-colours for her achievements at pre-school level, which will be full colours, because she will represent the country, let alone the school.

“Our colours are strict and you really have to earn them, but this like I said is a proud achievement.”

“It really is a proud moment for me, as not many coaches find themselves in the position I am in now, to can say one of my players is actually going to Australia representing South Africa,” said Mupfumisi.

“It shows that you get out of life what you put in.”

Symons added that one of her dreams is to be a member of the South African women’s cricket team.

“I see myself as a professional cricket player one day,” she said.

“A big thank you to all the people who supported me and continue to do so; my friends, family members, my teachers and my coaches.

“We are also in need of sponsors to help with the costs; we have raised R26 000 so far and we have to get to R39 000.

“We will appreciate any amount, big or small, it will make a huge difference.”

“The school will make a contribution towards her trip once the school governance has passed that,” said Odendaal.

“Anybody willing to sponsor me can contact my mother, Nicolette,” said Symons.

For more information call Nicolette on 072 147 5167, or email her at supermumof3@gmail.com.

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