Cover to Cover - March 2011

COVERTOCOVERMarch 2011Volume 2

Club Support System to strengthen sustainability of EP Cricket Club Cricketprogrammes

EP Cricket continues to invest in transformation through Junior Cricket Club programme

Getting to know

Adrian Carter

Message from the President

Message from the

CEO

As we reach the end of our 2010/2011 season I’m proud to submit my message for the second edition of our newsletter. Our first newsletter was a huge success, endorsed and applauded by all who read it. As we move forward news will become more interesting, as we communicate to all our stakeholders what we are doing to develop cricket in our region.

It is also a sad moment that we lost a stalwart of EP Cricket and our past President Dr Raymond Uren. Working with him for six years as his Vice President his leadership, charm and good character will surely be missed by all. I would also like to congratulate the NMMU for once again winning the Super League a cricket competion in the Metro. We also congratulate Grey High school for reaching the finals of the national schools T20 cricket finals.

To our Grahamstown rural cricket team congratulations on winning the CSA national

rural cricket tournament in the coastal section and ending 4th in the combined tournament together with inland. I would also like to congratulate EP midlands for qualifying to play in the national SA country week.

EP Women’s cricket has also done us proud and ended 3rd in their national competition. This year Ernie Webber completed 100 games for the EP Women’s team. Women’s cricket is on the rise as we have now 6 registered women’s cricket clubs. Junior cricket is gaining more interest and is linked to most of our established cricket clubs and will start producing cricketers for the future.

Our provincial team has also shown that they are a tough team to beat. The team still produces players to the franchise set up and is a great component of our development set up.

To the Chevrolet Warriors well done on reaching the finals of the Standard Bank Pro20 competition and earning a place in

the Champions League. Cricket in our province still remains strong as we are proud to mention that 5 home grown players has gone on to play in the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

I am proud to announce that our strategic plan is gaining momentum as more clubs are being registered. The Presidential plan is now in full swing and is showing the value and respect it deserves.

Our school adoption programme is working well and will start to ignite the passion at our previously disadvantaged schools.

We now enter into the winter months as we prepare for the winter programmes we are sure to be ready once again for the 2011/2012 season and see more cricket stars eminate from this region.

I would like to thank all administrators, coaches, selectors, managers, moms and dads for a wonderful past year of cricket.

The cricket season has now come to an end with excellent results recorded by our teams in the Eastern Province.

There has been a lot of activity in the EP Cricket departments since our last newsletter, including great provincial matches, Chevrolet Warriors matches for the Standard Bank Pro20 and a fantastic match between the Proteas and India. The elements unfortunately had the final say on our national match day, but we were once again amazed by the support of cricket fans in Nelson Mandela Bay, as well as the sterling job by our staff and our team of volunteers!

Very few cricket loving spectators consider the immense amount of work that goes into hosting these matches and I would therefore like to take this opportunity to truly thank all the staff and stakeholders involved in making the event a success. You are pivotal to the success of our stadium.

Our Amateur and Coaching Departments should also be commended for their work in growing cricket in the province. They are making significant progress in expanding the reach of cricket in schools and communities where cricket games were once limited to impromptu street matches between the neighbourhood’s kids. We are focused not only on spreading the game, but also supporting the clubs and schools that offer cricket so that the game will continue to grow throughout our communities.

We are making a conscious and defined effort to effect transformation in cricket through programmes such as Junior Club Cricket, the School Adoption programme, our Centres of Excellence and the Chevrolet/JAG Hi Performance Programme and we are seeing particularly encouraging results.

We are excited about the future of cricket in the Eastern Province and together we have the passion and will to make the Eastern Province the home of quality South African cricket.

- Donovan May

- Dave Emslie

CONTENTSMessage from the President: Eastern Province Cricket

Message from the CEO: Eastern Province Cricket

EP AMATEUR DEPARTMENT NEWS

•EPCricket takes KFC Mini- Cricket Festival to the heart of PE township•EPCricketcontinuestoinvestin transformation through Junior Cricket Club programme•ClubSupportSystemtostrengthen sustainability of EP Cricket Club Cricket programmes

EP COACHING DEPARTMENT NEWS

•EPCoachingDepartment aims to condition players and coaches for excellence

AXXESS ST. GEORGE’S FUNCTIONS AND FACILITIES NEWS

•InternationalvisitorschooseAxxessSt. George’s •MuchmoretoAxxessSt.George’sthan just cricket

STAFF NEWS

•Adrianrushesinwherespectatorsfearto tread•GettingtoknowAdrian

2

EP Cricket continues to invest in transformation through Junior Cricket Club programme

EP Cricket takes KFC Mini-Cricket Festival to the heart of PE township

The Cricket Club system in the Eastern Province offers an important development opportunity for aspiring cricketers not only to nurture their skills but also to catch the eye of local selectors.

During the time of cricket pre-unity, the Junior Cricket Club programme was one of the most important elements of the cricketing system, and the programme was deservedly revived in the early 2000s. Since then, the programme has produced talented players such as Wayne Parnell who has achieved national success.

The past season’s Junior Cricket Club Championship offered many exciting matches and displayed the talent of the young players from the 22 participating clubs. Most of the clubs participating in the league are from the northern areas and townships around the province. The clubs have shown outstanding results and it was a tough battle for the title between Motherwell and the KwaZakhele Vipers in the past championship. KwaZakhele Vipers deservedly won the trophy in close final match.

The Junior Cricket Club programme will continue to develop in the coming season and will serve as an important foundation phase programme for developing cricketers to play at a competitive level. EP Cricket remains committed to the advancement of the programme as well as its efforts towards progressing transformation in the Eastern Province, and national, cricketing system.

In line with EP Cricket’s vision to develop cricket among the youth of our community and play a key role in effecting transformation in cricket, EP Cricket along with various role players proudly presented the recent Provincial KFC Mini-Cricket Festival at the Dan Qeqe Stadium in Zwide. This was the first time in the Festival’s 26 year history that a Mini-Cricket Festival was held in the heart of PE’s township.

The event was a huge success with 580 participating cricketers from around the Eastern Province taking part in the day’s activities. At present, 425 primary schools actively participate in the KFC Mini-Cricket Programme totalling approximately 3 400 mini-cricketers in the programme. The vision for 2011 is to increase this figure by at least 10%.

Through the KFC Mini-Cricket activities in the province, EP Cricket aims to develop and nurture potential cricketing talent in our region from a young age and cultivate a long-lasting love for cricket and loyalty to the province. To date, their efforts have been very successful and we look forward to the rest of this year’s exciting activities in the KFC Mini-Cricket arena.


3


Year Recipient Type of Assistance Provided

Value

2009/10 Abahlobo CC 1 bag of cricket equipment R3500

2009/10 Dolphins CC 1 bag of cricket equipment R3500

2009/10 Eleven Stars CC 1 bag of cricket equipment R3500

2009/10 Gadianton CC 1 bag of cricket equipment R3500

2009/10 Khayelitsha CC 1 bag of cricket equipment R3500

2009/10 Madiba XI CC 1 bag of cricket equipment R3500

2009/10 Melumzi CC 1 bag of cricket equipment R3500

2009/10 Young Pioneers 1 bag of cricket equipment R3500

2009/10 Regents CC 2 cricket bats, batting gloves, thigh pads

R1600

2009/10 Lads CC Stumps, batting gloves, batting pads

R350

2009/10 Livvies Alumni CC Stumps, batting gloves, wicket keeper gloves, thigh pads

R350

2009/10 Coega Titans 1 bag of cricket equipment R3500

2009/10 Windvogel 1 bag of cricket equipment R3500

2009/10 Wildcats 1 bag of cricket equipment R3500

2009/10 KwaZakhele 1 bag of cricket equipment R3500

2009/10 Windhill 1 bag of cricket equipment R3500

2009/10 Rosemary United 1 bag of cricket equipment R3500

2009/10 Klipplaat (CKCU) Flicx mat R16 000

2010/11 Victorians CCKwaDwesi CCPE Police CCNortherns CCEarly Birds CCAdelaide CC

Provided with bags of cricket equipment

R24 000

Total R91 300

Equipment Assistance

Club Support System to strengthen sustainability of EP Cricket Club Cricket programmes

In the past, EP Cricket focused heavily on spreading the game throughout the province through various cricketing activities and programmes, while little attention was paid to ensuring the sustainability of the game in the various channels. As part of its new approach to supporting and enhancing the programmes put into place to develop cricket in the province, EP Cricket launched a club support system to assist clubs with facilities, equipment, transport and other assistance.

Over the past two seasons, a vast number of clubs were assisted in various ways from equipment donations to coaching support, financial support, transport and facilities upgrades. Details of assistance over the past two seasons are indicated in the adjacent tables.

4


Value

2009/10 NMBCB Clubs Transport subsidy provided R89 970

2009/10 Country Clubs Transport subsidy provided to CKCU, GCB, WCB

R30 000

2010/11 NMBCB Clubs Transport assistance provided R22 000

2010/11 Central Karoo, Grahamstown, Winterberg Clubs

Transport assistance provided R24 000

TOTAL R165 970

Transport Assistance


5


Value

2009/10 Motherwell CC School Adoption Prog financial and equipment provided

R23 500

2009/10 Coega Titans CC School Adoption Prog financial and equipment provided

R13 500

2009/10 KwaZakhele CC School Adoption Prog financial and equipment provided

R9500

2009/10 KwaDwesi CC School Adoption Prog financial assistance

R3000

2009/10 Gelvandale CC School Adoption Prog financial and equipment provided

R13 500

2009/10 United CC School Adoption Prog financial assistance

R3500

2009/10 United Brothers CC School Adoption Prog financial assistance

R2000

2010/11 Motherwell CC,Northville CCMalabar CC, Gamrose CC

School Adoption Prog financial assistance

R40 000

TOTAL R108 500

School Adoption Programme


Value

2009/10 Uitenhage KwaNobuhle Clubs

Funding for tournament in terms of catering, cricket balls, prize money

R30 000

Total R30 000

Tournaments


Value

2009/10 NMBCB Club repre-sentatives

A two-day Club coaching course was attended by repre-sentatives from 10 clubs

R20 000

2009/10 NMBCB Club repre-sentatives

A mass coaching clinic was held on 06 September 2009, which was attended by 10 junior clubs

R15 000

2010/11 Motherwell CCNorthville CCMalabar CCGamrose CC

Allocation of a coach to each club for 6 months

R60 000

TOTAL R95 000

Coaching


Value

2009/10 Club and school affiliate representtives

A two-day Administration course attended by 25 administrators

R20 000

2009/10 EP Umpires Association

An umpiring course was con-ducted and 14 umpires received qualifications

R5000

Total R25 000

Administration

EP Coaching Department aims to condition players and coaches for excellenceWhile EP Cricket is well known for its involvement in the community through arranging cricket fixtures at Amateur Level, EP Cricket also manages an important development programme for naturally talented players and coaches in the province.

The Chevrolet/JAG Hi Performance Programme (HPP), facilitated by the Eastern Province Coaching Department serves two main functions within cricket in the Eastern Cape namely Player Development and Coach Development. These two core elements of the pipeline form part of the HPP and has been put into place to ensure the adequate development of players and coaches throughout the province. The HPP also serves to ensure the delivery of the Presidential Plan which was established by Cricket South Africa and is overseen by Greg Hayes of Cricket Eastern Cape.

In terms of Player Development, the Eastern Province Coaching Department works to identify the best talent in the province and develop these players along a player pathway to reach the ultimate goal of producing quality first class players, Chevrolet Warriors players and Protea players. Our Coach Development programme aims to train, equip and produce quality coaches that are able to deliver coaching throughout the province at the highest level of professionalism.

In order to achieve these outcomes, EP Cricket and the Eastern Province Coaching Department have established pathways (indicated in the adjacent graphic) to ensure a clear progression of players and coaches through the ranks of our school and club system. These players and coaches are then fed through the system to ensure maximum results with regards to the Eastern Province producing the best possible coaches and players.

Going forward, EP Cricket will continue to strive towards serving schools and clubs in the best way possible.

EP COACHING DEPARTMENT NEWS

6

International visitors choose Axxess St. George’s Stadium

Much more to Axxess St. George’s than just cricket

EP Cricket has proudly welcomed two international touring teams to Port Elizabeth this month. Ex-Eastern Province Cricket Coach, Adrian Birrell, who is now Head Coach of the England U/17 team, brought his troops to Port Elizabeth for a three week training session in February. The team took part in intense training sessions and specialist batting, bowling, strength and conditioning sessions. The team played five matches in Port Elizabeth and three matches in Grahamstown.

The second touring team to use St. George’s as their home base for their stay in Port Elizabeth is the Northants Cricket Club known for their Steelbacks county team. The Steelbacks will be hoping to take advantage of our current good weather to gain some experience and solid practice sessions before the start of the season in the UK. The Steelbacks will take on the likes of the Eastern Province team, as well as the Chevrolet Warriors during their stay.

EP Cricket is hoping to forge more of these mutually beneficial relationships with international teams and county clubs in the hope of not only gaining good exposure for our teams and coaches, but also attracting more international visitors to Port Elizabeth. By successfully creating joint ventures with our international counterparts, we believe that EP Cricket and Axxess St. George’s can play a central role in supporting sports tourism in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Going forward, EP Cricket will continue to strive towards serving schools and clubs in the best way possible.

The St. George’s stadium is synonymous with cricket in the Eastern Cape and the venues at St. George’s offer the perfect view of the historic field and park. Beyond hosting cricket matches, St. George’s also serves as a useful facility for the events industry as the various venues at the ground can host between 100 and 250 people for private or corporate events.

In this edition of the Cover to Cover, we will highlight the President’s Suite facility situated on the second floor of the Centenary Pavilion in the grounds. The President’s Suite offers an ideal venue for weddings, birthday celebrations, conferences, exhibitions, lectures, special events, dinner parties, product launches and many other functions. With a seated arrangement including a dance floor, the President’s Suite can comfortably accommodate 110 people, while the venue accommodates 130 people without a dance floor.

Each venue in the stadium has its own in-house caterers and for the President’s Suite, catering requirements are met by Father & Son Caterers. For more information on Father & Son, please contact Richard on 041 585 1357.

To book or view the President’s Suite, kindly contact our Functions and Facilities office on 041 585 1646 or email [email protected].

AXXESS ST. GEORGE’S FUNCTIONS AND FACILITIES NEWS

7

STAFF PROFILE: Adrian Carter, Head Groundsman at Axxess St. George’sFULL NAME: Adrian CarterBIRTHDAY: 3 December 1973FAVOURITE HOBBY: Reading and Cycling FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO TO: Mauritius HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING AT AXXESS ST GEORGE’S? Since 1996BEST MEMORY OF AXXESS ST GEORGE’S PARK TO DATE: South Africa vs. Australia when they scored 334MOST “FUSSY” PLAYER: Ricky Ponting IN YOU WEREN’T WORKING AT AXXESS ST GEORGE’S, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO: Travel the world FAVOURITE FOOD: Steak

Getting to know Adrian

When we think of the incredible cricketing spectacles that Axxess St. George’s has hosted over the years, we fondly remember the intensity of the matches, the results, and the experience of watching the games with our friends and colleagues. Very few of us consider the incredible amount of work that goes into preparing the pitch for play – a particularly nerve-wracking task when the Australians travel to Port Elizabeth!

Adrian Carter, our Head Groundsman takes this responsibility squarely on his shoulders, and is supported by a team of assistants who all work together to make the St. George’s pitch worthy of the cricketing greats who have graced our shores. Adrian, who has been a part of the St. George’s team for the past 15 years, has seen many developments in cricket in the Eastern Cape and has endured the praise and criticism that inevitably comes with being a groundsman.

We asked Adrian what his top tips are for prospective groundsman and he rated Post-Season Maintenance as one of the most vital parts of a groundsman’s job.

“In order to make next season easier on yourself, there are a couple of jobs to do,” Adrian says. “Firstly, drill or core all dead areas on your square and fill in the holes with fresh/fertilized Bulli. Next, top dress all hollows on the square. Re-plant any areas where the grass has died off and then fertilize the grounds,” he says.

Adrian recommends a fertilizer ratio of 5:1:5 at 50g per square meter. “Doing these simple tasks will ensure that your grass has the chance to recover during the winter and you will start next season ‘on the front foot’”.

Adrian rushes in where spectators fear to tread

STAFF NEWS

8

STAR IN THE MAKING

FOR COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS ON THIS EDITION, PLEASE EMAIL: [email protected]

Documents

Cover to Cover - March 2011