A short history of cricket development for underprivileged children living in Somerset West and Surrounds, South Africa*
Cricket has a long history in South Africa, with the sport first being introduced in the 1800s by British settlers. However, it wasn't until the mid-20th century that cricket began to be played more widely by all sections of the South African community. However, access to cricket for underprivileged children in this region has not always been equitable.
In this region, cricket has become an important sport for underprivileged children. Over the years, several organisations and initiatives have been set up to develop the sport in the area and provide opportunities for young people to participate. The Leading Edge Sports Foundation (aka Leading Edge) is one such foundation—a bona fide non-profit organisation based at Somerset College in Somerset West.
One of the key organisations involved in cricket development in the area is the Helderberg Cricket Club. The club was founded in the 1970s and has since grown to become one of the largest cricket clubs in the Western Cape. The club was formed by a group of cricket enthusiasts who wanted to promote the sport in the Helderberg area, which includes Somerset West and surrounding suburbs. It has a strong focus on developing young players and runs coaching programs for children of all ages and abilities.
In addition to the Helderberg Cricket Club, there are several other initiatives in the area aimed at promoting cricket among underprivileged children. One such initiative is the Khayelitsha Cricket Club, which was established in 2010 to provide cricket coaching and playing opportunities for children living in the nearby Khayelitsha township. The club has since expanded to include children from other underprivileged areas, including Lwandle, Nomzamo, and Asanda Village. The club provides coaching, equipment, and facilities for children of all ages and skill levels, and has produced several talented cricketers who have gone on to represent their communities at a regional and national level.
Another important organisation is the Western Province Cricket Association, which oversees the development of cricket in the Western Cape region. The association runs various programs and initiatives aimed at developing the sport at grassroots level, including coaching clinics and talent identification programs.
In the 1990s, the Western Province Cricket Board launched the “Mini-Cricket” program aimed at introducing the sport to young children. The program was implemented in schools and communities, including those in Somerset West and surrounding areas. The program provided basic coaching and equipment for children to learn and practice the game.
In 2014, the Gary Kirsten Cricket Academy was established in Cape Town. The academy provided coaching for young cricketers, including those from disadvantaged communities. The academy also launched a program called the “Cricket School of Excellence,” which aimed to provide high-quality coaching and training for promising young cricketers.
Founded in 1891, the Somerset West Cricket Club was formed. The club aimed to provide coaching and facilities for young cricketers in the Somerset West area, including those from disadvantaged communities. The club also provided opportunities for young cricketers to participate in local and regional tournaments. The Somerset West Cricket Club has deep roots in the community and is one of the oldest cricket clubs in South Africa.
In recent years, the Western Province Cricket Association has launched various initiatives aimed at promoting cricket among young people in the province. These initiatives include the “Development Hub” program, which provides coaching and facilities for young cricketers from disadvantaged communities, and the “Schools T20 Challenge,” which aims to promote cricket in schools across the province. Western Province HUBS are as follows:
- Tygerberg (RPC)
- Khayelitsha (HUB)
- Mitchells Plain (HUB)
- Langa (HUB)
- Victoria (HUB)
- St Augustine (HUB)
- Primrose (HUB)
- Heidelberg (HUB)
Mostly, local cricket enthusiasts and benefactors continue to support needs that are particular to underprivileged children from Somerset West and Surrounds. Many volunteers, such as coaches and donors who support the Leading Edge, continue to band together in order to provide cricket coaching and essential basic skills development to these children—often using donated cricket equipment and facilities. The Leading Edge remains committed to improving access and facilities for its yearly cohort of players who complete the programme.
In addition to these programs, several schools in Somerset West and its surrounds have also introduced cricket programs for their students. Schools such as Helderberg High School, Strand High School and Somerset College have established cricket teams and facilities, and offer coaching and equipment to their students. These programs—often in partnership with NPO’s like the Leading Edge—have helped to develop young cricketing talent in the area, and have provided opportunities for underprivileged children to access the sport through their schools.
Challenges are plenty, oftentimes with donor enthusiasm and response being slow. Many of these children in the region have never played cricket before and are not familiar with the rules of the game. However, with ongoing tangible commitment, training and real investment of time and resources, interest is beginning to grow, with more and more children expressing an interest in attending the Leading Edge programme and coaching sessions.
Overall, over past years, many of the children who started playing cricket through these programmes have gone on to represent their schools and even their provinces in cricket tournaments. Some have even been scouted by talent scouts and have been offered scholarships to attend cricket academies.
Concluding summary
Cricket development for underprivileged children in Somerset West and Surrounds, South Africa, has been a multi-faceted journey. While it is difficult to provide a comprehensive history in a short text, here are some key milestones and initiatives that have made a significant impact in promoting the sport among underprivileged communities in the region.
- Early development initiatives (late 20th century): In the late 20th century, post-apartheid South Africa witnessed a growing need to foster social integration through sports. Cricket, being one of the most popular sports in the country, saw numerous initiatives undertaken to promote it among underprivileged communities. In areas like Somerset West and Surrounds, cricket clubs, NGOs, and community organizations began working to develop cricket facilities and provide equipment to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The role of Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) (early 2000s): In the early 2000s, the national cricket board, CSA, and the regional body, WPCA, stepped up their efforts to develop the sport among underprivileged communities. They launched various programs to identify and nurture talent, provide coaching and training, and improve infrastructure in disadvantaged areas. Some of these programs included the KFC Mini-Cricket program and the Momentum Friendship Games.
- Gary Kirsten Foundation (GCF): In 2014, former South African cricketer Gary Kirsten established the Gary Kirsten Foundation to promote the sport among underprivileged children in the country. The Foundation has played a significant role in providing training, coaching, and equipment to children in Somerset West and other surrounding areas.
- The Helderberg Cricket Academy (HCA): The Helderberg Cricket Academy has been instrumental in nurturing cricket talent in the region. The academy provides coaching and training to children from disadvantaged backgrounds, with an emphasis on identifying and nurturing promising cricketers. Through its efforts, HCA has produced several players who have gone on to represent the Western Province and, in some cases, the national team.
- Partnerships with local schools and clubs: Over the years, partnerships between local schools, clubs, and community organizations have been crucial in promoting cricket among underprivileged children. These partnerships have helped create an inclusive environment for the sport, allowing children from all backgrounds to participate and develop their skills.
- Sponsorships and funding: The development of cricket in the region has been facilitated by sponsorships and funding from various sources, including private companies, local businesses, and philanthropists. These funds have been used to improve facilities, provide equipment, and offer coaching to underprivileged children.
- Success stories: The development initiatives have produced several success stories, with some players from disadvantaged backgrounds going on to represent the country at various levels, including the national team. These success stories serve as an inspiration for the younger generations and further fuel the passion for cricket in the region.
In conclusion, cricket development for underprivileged children in Somerset West and Surrounds has seen significant progress in recent years. The combined efforts of cricket boards, NGOs (like the Leading Edge), schools, clubs, and community organisations have played a vital role in creating opportunities and promoting social integration through the sport. The future of cricket in the region looks promising, with more initiatives and programs in the pipeline to ensure the continued growth and success of the sport among underprivileged communities. Development cricket programmes are an important step towards creating more equal access to sport and recreation opportunities for all South African children—regardless of race, socio-economic circumstances, etc. These programmes are helping to develop cricketing talent in the region, and continue to provide underprivileged children with the chance to participate in a sport that they may not have had the opportunity to otherwise participate in and play.
Your financial support (or in-kind) will help The Leading Edge to go a long way to make the dreams of these young cricketers come true. Should you wish to know how you can make a donation and become a supporter of The Leading Edge Sports Foundation’s development programmes, please don’t hold back on contacting our Director of Operations, Mr Hilton Toro.