From the age of 12, a Saxonwold Primary School teacher started playing indoor cricket and now she plays in the T20 National Women’s Championship. Gillian Forbes represented the Wanderers Cricket Club at Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) T20 which took place in Potchefstroom from April 14 – 16. Six of the best teams from around the country took part in the inaugural tournament.
Forbes who currently serves as the head of sport and acting intersen phase departmental head at the school said for the past two years she has been playing cricket for the Wanderers Cricket Club.
“I have been playing cricket for as long as I can remember. My dad was quite the sportsman in his younger days, so I think he sparked my initial interest. He would always play various sports with me when he came home from work. At the age of 12, I started playing indoor cricket and a year later in 2006, I was selected to form part of the Eastern Province U19 girls cricket team as well as the Eastern Province Senior Women’s Cricket team,” said Forbes.
She said this was the first tournament of its kind in South Africa. Forbes noted that over the past few years, CSA has really made an effort to invest in women’s cricket.
Forbes said it was a positive yet challenging experience as they played five matches in three days. She was impressed by how strong women’s cricket is in South Africa at club level. Forbes expressed her gratitude for being part of a team coached by a wonderful coach and a captain who leads from the front. “My teammates and I really made memories that will last a lifetime,” said Forbes.
Looking back, Forbes said the lack of investment in the women’s game was a challenge. In addition, not enough girls played cricket which meant that she ended up in boys’ teams. The head of sports expressed how wonderful it was to see how much that has changed.
“We now have players that are CSA contracted players and leagues for women all over the world. The recent T20 World Cup also proved how much interest has grown in the women’s game – stadiums were sold out and young players now have Protea Women as their role models.
“In terms of my career, I am happy to play cricket for an amazing club and hope to spark a love for cricket and coach young ladies who inspire to be cricketers too,” Forbes concluded.
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