KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Primary School (KPS) has taken a huge stride in the development of cricket among youngsters in Knysna after acquiring the Falcons Cricket Club, to represent the school at the inaugural Cape Premier League (CPL) in Cape Town during April.
KPS principal Rob Stoker confirmed that the Knysna Falcons, as it will be called, is owned by the school and will this season play cricket at a club level. Next year the tournament, which is effectively a franchised T20 club cricket tournament, will be extended to high schools and in the following year primary schools.
"We wanted to be a part of it from the beginning and have a solid base through which our youngsters can be developed to their full potential," said Stoker, adding that in the coming years a cricket academy with a full-time professional coach will be established at the school.
Although none of the current club players in the Knysna Falcons team are local, Stoker said he expects this to change as the tournament gains momentum in the years to come.
'Important to get children involved'
"It is important to get our children involved in the game and the idea behind this is to produce cricket players of exceptional quality," he said.
The name of Knysna Primary School will be printed on all kits worn by the players, which will also add to their exposure, and negotiations are currently taking place with potential sponsors. Six teams will participate in the CPL: Atlantic Pirates, District Sixers, Cape Vikings, Dromedaris Dragons, Hoeri Kwaggo Bulls and Knysna Falcons. Each team is owned by a company, which will appoint some coaches from around the Western Cape Cricket Association premier league and first division A.
Knysna Falcons will be coached by Durbanville Cricket Club's Manny Senger, who said last week that he was excited about the massive opportunities for youngsters in the tournament. "We have acquired quite a few good players and it's going to be an incredibly exciting T20 tournament, and will ultimately benefit the development of the sport, particularly in the Southern Cape."
The tournament is scheduled for three weekends: 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 26 and 27 April. These Saturdays and Sundays might be joined by Fridays 4, 11 and 18 April.
Venues include Wynberg Cricket Club, Western Province Cricket Club's Wally Wilson Oval and Vineyard Oval, and Langa Cricket Club. Newlands will also be considered, dependent on availability. More information will be released closer to the event.
Knysna Falcons Team: Lenert van Wyk, Robert van der Ross, Handre Theron, Nathan Swartz, Jean Strydom, Aviwe Mgijima, Jean Marais, Pieter Malan, Leon le Roux, Grant Edmeades, Justin Broad, Niel Botha, Byron Boshoff. U21: Guy Sheena, Siya Plaatjie, Thando Ntini. Head coach: Manny Senger. Assistant coaches: Laurie Ward and Xolani Lallo.
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