Home

RPC Cricket to develop rural talent

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The next generation of South Africa’s test cricketers could well be produced in the country’s rural areas following the implementation of Regional Performance Centres.

The first RPC Cricket week has just been concluded and a number of future stars have been identified.

The Hammanskraal Cricket Oval, opened by West Indies legend Brian Lara just over three years ago, hosted a number of matches that formed part of the under -17 Regional Performance Centres programme.

The initiative aims to transform the sport by developing and nurturing the promising cricket potential in South Africa.

CSA cricket service manager Edward Khoza says: “We have 12 regional performance centres sponsored by Standard Bank across the country that nurtures the talent especially in the black African communities.”

“So what we’ve done is that we have identified under 17 players coming from these RPCs to come and play in this national week setup,” adds Khoza.

The programme has afforded about 144 young and talented cricketers from around the country an opportunity to participate in the RPC National under 17 Week for 2018.

The tournament took place at venues around Tshwane, such as Hammanskraal, Mamelodi and Tuks.

The venture ensures that there is continuous development and maintenance of effective high-performance programmes and cricket structures, from grassroots right through to senior cricket.

“I think the most fortunate thing that we have are various scouts that are part of the Cricket South Africa pipe-line. Some of the coaches have interacted with the under 19.”

Approximately 63 players were afforded the opportunity to study at some of South Africa’s top cricket schools. It was made possible through bursaries during the 2017-18 season of the programme.

Author

MOST READ