VCC development coach enthusiastic about club’s future
Vosloorus Cricket Club (VCC) development coach Isaac Phele wants to improve the state of the sport in the township.
The club runs a mini-cricket programme for players from five to 13 years old.
There are 70 players. They come from various pre-schools and primary schools around the township.
Recently VCC secured sponsorship from Meat Express Butchery at Naledi Mall in Vosloorus.
The sponsorship includes cricket kit and a R300 meal ticket per match day.
“Each time we play, they give us R300 to spend on food for the players,” said an enthusiastic Phele.
Ilbefonso Besousa, the manager at Meat Express Butchery, said: “We want to take kids away from the streets.”
Phele said they are planning to extend their love for cricket to high school learners next year.
“Our aim is to make sure that the sport gets recognition in the township.
“It seems as if soccer is the only sport that people here recognise,” said Phele.
On training days, he divides the players into three groups according to their age.
Different techniques are taught in each category.
The u-6 category is made up of players from pre-school to Grade One. They are taught agility, balance, eye conditioning, how to memorise and other basics.
The u-9 category is made up of players from Grade Two to Grade Four (seven, eight and nine years). They are taught techniques and the fundamentals of cricket.
Children in these two categories do not participate in competitive games.
Only those in the u-13 category compete. They are aged from 10 to 13 years.
Phele, who has been involved with the club for the past five years, said parents are willing to attend the games but the dilemma is that they lack transport.
