Many years of loyalty, hard work and dedication was rewarded on February, 2nd 2013 when full affiliate status was awarded to the South Western Districts Cricket Board at the Cricket South Africa Annual General Meeting. SWD Cricket has been awarded associate status by Cricket South Africa (CSA) in the 2004/05 season and has since grown into a formidable Union to be reckoned with not only on the playing field but in terms of administration as well.
This growth from its infancy as a rural Sub-Union of Boland in 2001 to its current position of an exemplary province embodies the energy and vision of the young, but involved collective leadership that permeates throughout the whole cricket fraternity in the province.
The SWD Cricket Board has:
• A structure of communication/liaison with the Provincial Government
sports body.
• An accurate and efficient administration, recording and accounting system;
• A coordinated and developed general coaching programme;
• A coordinated and developed system of talent identification and coaching for talented cricketers qualified to play for the association;
• A coordinated and developed programme to train coaches, umpires, grounds man and scorers;
• A coordinated and developed system to organize special events, to develop cricket awareness within the local population;
Through the SWD Cricket Board Strategic plan the following strategic objectives were achieved during the past year
• Grow cricket participation and support
• Develop winning teams at every level
• Top Class Management System
• Maximize utilization of facilities and infrastructure
• Attract generous financial support
• Set the standard for successful grass roots development
• Creating a unified, goal-driven organization by providing visionary leadership at all levels
In October 2012 the construction of new cloakrooms and players suites has been completed thanks to grants from the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (Sport and Recreation) to the value of R750 000 and R300 000 from a new partner, the SA Sports Trust.
In the 2012/13 season SWD again hosted the CSA Academies tournament (for Southern provinces in September 2012) and also successfully hosted the USSA B-Week (in November 2012) and CSA Girls U/19 National tournament.
The flagship team, the SWD senior team had another good season in the Cricket South Africa provincial Three Day competition where the men from the Southern Cape again came very close in winning the trophy. The individual performance of Marcello Piedt who bagged 59 wickets in his debut season of first class cricket must be complimented. The 19-year old Piedt was also awarded with an inclusion in the CSA National Academy intake for 2013.
Jean Heunis was selected for the SA Schools XI last year after the U/18 Coca Cola Khaya Majola cricket week and we also continue to produce players for the Warriors Cubs and Warriors Colts teams. These achievements are evident that our development and coaching program is indeed on track and that we do have the ability to produce players on the highest level.
The Mini Cricket program of the province, that forms the basis for grass roots development in the province were complimented when Garry Moos, the SWD’s Mini Cricket Co-ordinator was the co-winner as the National KFC Mini Cricket co-ordinator of the year at the KFC National Seminar that was held in Polokwane. Reney Botha, an educator at Bongolethu Primary School was also awarded as the National Coach of the month for February 2003.
The 14-year old Miceala Andrews was included in the SA Schools Girls team and a bright future is awaiting her.
The SWDCB also in July 2013, for the first time, hosted the CSA National Groundsman Conference in Oudtshoorn. It was attended by all groundman from the main stadiums in the country.
The SWDCB in the past financial year (2012/13) spent significant resources in enhancing the total spectrum of club cricket in the province. Club cricket forms the foundation of cricket structures in the province and is the SWD’s strategic plan directed to provide opportunities for effective and active participation for all affiliated clubs to enhance a competitive cricket culture. The financial support towards clubs essential for the sustainment of cricket in the province and the SWDCB invested in various projects and programs.
The expenditure to clubs increased from R265,000 in 2011/12 to R870,000 in 2012/13. This figure made provision for an increase in grants to clubs but specific infrastructure projects (playing and practice facilities), investment in coaching programs, provision of pitch covers, cricket and training equipment, and cricket balls for leagues, transport grants as well as maintenance projects.
Besides the contribution from the SWDCB, which is primarily done with dedicated funding from Cricket South Africa, more than R500,000 was also spent on club capacity building projects with allocated funding from the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund. We succeeded in covering the entire geographical area including projects at Plettenberg Bay (construction of synthetic pitch and synthetic nets), Knysna (upgrading of nets and allocation of score board), George (upgrading of nets and playing facilities), Kranshoek (upgrading of nets and allocation of score board), Beaufort West (construction of nets and synthetic pitch), Mossel Bay (upgrading of playing facilities), Melkhoutfontein (construction of turf nets), Heidelberg (construction of synthetic pitch and synthetic nets), Riversdale (upgrading of nets and upgrading of synthetic pitch), Albertinia (construction of synthetic pitch and synthetic nets), Ladismith (construction of synthetic nets), Calitzdorp (upgrading of synthetic nets and construction of turf pitch) and Oudtshoorn – Bongolethu (construction of synthetic nets and turf pitch). The SWDCB, also for the first time secured a sponsorship in the form of prize money for the respective league winners.
A new initiative was the introduction of the Club Excellence program where clubs were awarded with financial incentives in reaching specific objectives in an outcome based funding program. This program placed an emphasis in proper administrative and governance structures at clubs as well as the training and recruitment of officials such as umpires, scorers, coaches and ground staff. A further nine clubs will join the club development program this season. This is an initiative that is funded by the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport.
Growth of Cricket: Comparative Numbers:
2011/12 2012/13
Mini Cricket: Schools 220 224
Mini Cricket: Boys 4067 4624
Mini Cricket: Girls 1040 1210
Mini Cricket: Male Coaches 82 115
Mini Cricket: Female Coaches 328 356
Number of Primary Schools 94 94
Number of High Schools 51 51
Number of Junior Players (u/13-u/19) 3674 3701
Junior Girls Players 328 345
Number of Clubs 23 26
Number of Senior Players 1031 1148
Number of Women’s Players 130 145
Number of Scorers 48 60
Number of Umpires 79 95
Black African Cricket Development plan
As part of the SWDCB development plan an emphasis has being placed on the development of black Africans cricketers in the district. This goal is justified by looking at the racial mapping in the district and the participation in the different league structures, this imbalance is a factor inherited from the past political situation of our country. The Board has made significant progress to improve the situation and to promote a game played by all in the district and promoting a proud culture.
Facility building was accelerated in the community be it on school properties or on municipal entities. The construction of practice nets and playing facilities was introduced in Bongolthu, Thembalethu and Kwanonqaba. The completion of these facilities in s also a huge step forward in the quest to ensure the interest of the game increases in the communities.
Its only being four seasons since the office of the SWDCB has being running the program out of its administrative office and both Thembalethu Cricket Club and Bongolethu Cricket Club finished third in their respective legs of the promotion league during the past season. The SWD Cricket Board also appointed Black African Cricket co-ordinators in Bongolethu, Thembalethu, KwanonQaba and Bitou. They are responsible for the coaching, coordination and growth of the total Black African Cricket Development program in the region/club/schools
Regional Centre of Excellence Coordinator/Coaches was also appointed in Oudtshoorn, George, Mossel Bay and Knysna and are responsible for the management of the regional age group cricket teams in conjunction with administrative functions that will be fulfilled by the SWD cricket office. The must build and maintain strong relationships with the parents, schools and Clubs and is responsible for the coaching and coordination of the total Women’s cricket program in the region. It will also be required of the successful candidate to manage, arrange and attend all scheduled fixtures of the regional team as applicable.
Capacity Building for Coaches. In an effort to promote the standard of coaching in the province the coaching education program of the province was enhanced by introducing:
• Four level 1 Training courses;
• Two Level 2 Training courses;
• Additional coaches will be nominated for the level 3 course. These nominated coaches to have attended the refresher sessions prior to the course to prepare them adequately;
• Appoint two Course Facilitators to help conduct Training Courses;
Coach Effectiveness
• All coaches belong to a coaching forum;
• 75% of Coaching forum meetings,
• Attend a refresher course in this year to be
• Appoint Forum Coordinators per region to coordinate meetings and courses;
Club Effectiveness with regards to Coaching
As part of the club excellence program, clubs must have 4 coaches per season attending and
passing a coaching course for qualification to funding;
SWD Sport council. The SWD Cricket Board is an active participant in SWD Sport Council Activities and events.
SWD Cricket for the Disabled. Much effort and energy was put in place to streamline structures of Cricket for the Disabled. This sub-committee is operationally efficient.