Cricket Eastern Cape's Chevrolet High Performance Development Programme

Even in the cricket world, raw talent doesn't magically transform itself into performance excellence. The well-documented process of talent identification, nurturing and training, and opportunity creation is based on good, old fashioned, hard work. What is new, however, is how we go about finding talented youngsters and growing them into strong cricketers who have a chance to excel in the sports world.

Cricket Eastern Cape Pty (Ltd) (CEC) has put in place a High Performance Development Programme, which aims to ensure a vibrant and productive pipeline between amateur cricket and professional cricket, in order to provide the Chevrolet Warriors with talented, well coached, homegrown, thinking cricketers.

The Programme in essence is based primarily on coach and player development within the four Eastern Cape regions namely, Border, Eastern Province, South Western District, and Kei.

Coach Development

During winter this year, the Programme ran various Coaching Courses in order to qualify those who wish to join the newly launched Chevrolet Coaches Forums. This regional network of forums aims to empower coaches to develop players to their full potential. Closer co-operation between the club and school systems is vital and will be facilitated by the Coaches Forum.

Player Development

CEC's Chevrolet High Performance Programme is based on vibrant, well-planned and well-executed cricket coaching programmes. For the youngest players (U10), it all begins with talent identification at places like the Bakers Mini Cricket Regional and Provincial Festivals.

Once a young player has been identified, the Programme makes every effort to nurture his talent, without putting undue pressure on the child. The Chevrolet High Performance Programme is about developing the entire person into a well-rounded individual.

Rural High Performance Project

Rural areas are no longer too far away for cricket scouts. Ex-Protea and Warriors fast bowling sensation, Mfuneko Ngam has been able to unearth a number of very talented young rural children from the Middledrift, Alice and Fort Beaufort areas. These children are transported to the Krish Mackerdhuj Indoor Complex at the Fort Hare University in Alice.

CEC also recognises how important it is for young players to meet their heroes: the Chevrolet Warriors were on hand to give guidance and to sign autographs at a holiday clinics in Border, EP and South Western Districts.

Specialist clinics, including Fast Bowling, Batting, Spinners, Fielding, as well as emotional toughness sessions, form part of the Programme throughout all regions. All the squad and individual training is put to the test in pre-tournament friendly matches. This provides a great opportunity for the coaches and players to identify weaknesses and to rectify these prior to going to the National Weeks in December.

Keeping the Dream Alive

Cricket Eastern Cape is not looking for the short-lived glory of instant success. It is not enough to produce a good player now and again. For Cricket Eastern Cape it is about keeping cricket alive in all reaches of this province. By growing cricket in the hearts of kids, the CEC's Chevrolet High Performance Development Programme provides hope for parents and pride for communities. By developing and supporting coaches, the passion for the game will be shared for years to come.