Throw like a girl

Hayley Havenga is a nine-year-old grade four pupil at Curro Bankenveld, but she’s no ordinary primary school girl.

“I was watching my older brother, Jonathan, play cricket one day and fell in love with the sport. I still play netball and hockey, but cricket is a sport that I needed to prove myself in. I learnt how to bowl from my teachers and friends and I practiced very hard to show them that I can be just as good as any boy in the team, maybe even better,” Hayley explained, and her hard work paid off, “when I was seven-years-old, Coach Victor approached my mom and asked her if I could play for the school’s cricket team. I’ve been playing for two years now.”

Young Hayley is a formidable bowler, and has made quite a name for herself – striking fear into the heart of any batsman that faces her.

“In the beginning there were a few boys that said it was unfair and left the team because I was allowed to play, but most of them were excited to be playing with me. I always played cricket with the boys in the morning before school and during break, and I showed them what I was made of. Now, I am just one of the boys,” Hayley elaborated.

Hayley didn’t have to prove herself to just her team mates though, she had to prove herself to opposing teams too.

“Most of the players of opposing teams laugh at me and make fun of my team, because they have a girl as a team mate. I mean, apparently girls can’t play cricket. They underestimate me completely. Some of the boys have left the pitch crying and very embarrassed because of being bowled out by a girl,” Hayley said jovially.

Hayley’s plans aren’t restricted to primary school cricket though – her dreams are much bigger than just that.

“I would like to try-out and play provincial cricket as soon as possible but my dream is to one day play for the South African Women’s cricket team. I just need to be given a chance and I’ll prove myself,” young Hayley passionately explained.