Holistic development of each and every child remains at the forefront of our vision and mission for all who pass through
The Leading Edge academy.
Through cricket development, to actively and enthusiastically extend our coaching hands to underprivileged children living within our communities in the Helderberg region, and by so doing, give each and every child a holistic leading edge in life that they’ll need in order to succeed at living happily.
First, to provide top-quality professional cricket development and coaching to young players and coaches living within our communities in the Helderberg region of the Western Cape—which incorporates the towns of Gordon’s Bay, Lwandle, Macassar, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Somerset West and Strand.
Second, to equip young cricket players with much-needed educational and life-skills development, thereby contributing to the holistic educational and social development of well-rounded children living in our communities in the Helderberg region.
Third, to develop responsible cricket coaches who commit to making an active and impactful difference to the lives of children living within their communities.
Fourth, to practically help our coaches and children to enthusiastically embrace lifelong learning, in order to nurture and strengthen one’s positive self-esteem, recognising their true sense of self-worth and having a healthy self-respect for others and ourselves—at all times, without compromise.
The Leading Edge Team
THE LEADING EDGE TEAM
Managing and Operations Director
As one of the founding directors of The Leading Edge Sports Foundation, Hilton’s love and passion for the game of cricket is convincing. As former assistant coach of the Zimbabwe U19 cricket team, in 2008 Hilton and his team participated at the U19 World Cup. Since leaving the U19 Zimbabwe professional coaching scene, Hilton moved to South Africa where he has continued to involve himself with school-level cricket coaching, sports administration and physical education at Somerset College in Somerset West. Presently, Hilton is this prestigious school’s head of cricket as well as head of the boys boarding facility. Hilton is an accredited CSA Level 3 cricket coach, having also attained certification in sports psychology. Hilton is well known in the Western Province Youth Cricket (WPYC) development fraternity and has managed and coached WPYC teams in the U13-U19 age categories. Hilton loves to organise and coordinate cricket programs. Hilton is married with two children.
Director - Coaching
Wayne’s passion and commitment to children is evident by his career choice—a qualified teacher and currently, Head of Grade 7 and Afrikaans at Somerset College. Wayne is a sports fanatic with a passion for cricket coaching and community outreach. As an accredited CSA Level 3 cricket coach, Wayne’s coaching experience—spanning more than 20 years—has a rich depth and variety at local school, provincial schools and senior provincial men’s level. Notable cricket accolades include being awarded the winner’s trophy of the annual CSA Senior Men’s Rural Competition (2013), as well as the CSA Senior Men’s Rural Competition runners-up trophy the following year (2014). Wayne is married with two daughters.
In Remembrance 16 MARCH 1969 - 17 MAY 2023
The Leading Edge and its directors are deeply saddened by the passing of its founding director, John Leask Gates Firth (16 March 1969 – 17 May 2023). John’s passion for the game of cricket as well as his keen interest and enthusiasm for cricket development led to the co-founding of The Leading Edge Sports Foundation—together with Hilton Toro and Wayne Bosch. John’s passing leaves a significant void that will never be filled. His spirit lives on in the lives of those whom he touched, the love he shared, and the faith he demonstrated. We know that John is with the Lord in glory now—may he rest in God’s eternal peace!
Somerset College has four cricket fields, Indoor Centre (4 lanes), 4 Turf nets and 4 artificial nets. The school has put so much emphasis on cricket development by allowing The Leading Edge Sports Foundation to use their facilities as a pro-active way to reach out to the lesser-privileged communities in the Helderberg region.
