It was a dream come true for several aspiring young cricketers last Thursday when they got to spend some time with the Chevrolet Warriors cricket team players on cricket fields around Grahamstown.
Many received one-on-one advice from the players in coaching clinics which were held as part of the Kenrich Festival of Cricket.
It was a dream come true for several aspiring young cricketers last Thursday when they got to spend some time with the Chevrolet Warriors cricket team players on cricket fields around Grahamstown.
Many received one-on-one advice from the players in coaching clinics which were held as part of the Kenrich Festival of Cricket.
Grocott's Mail observed first hand the benefits of the clinics when they witnessed an encounter between a former Proteas player and a young local talent.
Former Proteas cricketer, Mfuneko Ngam, was part of the coaching staff working with a development squad, which included Tiger Titans players from Bathurst and players from Grahamstown schools, at the Kingswood Knight Field.
He was working with the fielders when he caught a glimpse of Tiger Titans player, Siviwe Toni, bowling on another part of the field. He immediately stopped what he was doing and said,“I like that guy, I can work with him.”
Ngam then spent a little time with the youngster, observing his action and giving him some tips. He told Grocott's Mail that he was impressed with Toni, saying that he had that “West Indian look, great height, great action.” Ngam said that with patience and correct coaching, he believed Toni could “go all the way”.
“He's a bit raw, but I could work with him in terms with his bowling action,” he told Tiger Titans founder Ross McCreath, who responded with a laugh, saying that Toni's nickname is, in fact, “Raw”.
Former Graemian Jon-Jon Smuts, who worked with batsmen at Graeme field, was also impressed with the standard of players saying they had “very good attitudes” on the batting crease, and “all seem to have a bit of talent”.
The Kenrich Festival of Cricket is part of the Chevrolet Activation Programme, an important part of the Chevrolet Warriors sponsoship according to Dave Emslie, Eastern Province Cricket and Chevrolet Warriors Franchise CEO.
“The emphasis of the activation programme has been to raise the profile of both the team and the Chevrolet brand,” he said. The programme includes various initiatives to involve the local dealers with the team and the community.
