SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - In his Presidential address during the SWD Cricket Annual Awards Function that was held in Mossel Bay last week, SWD Cricket President, Rudy Claassen announced that the Board of Directors of SWD Cricket, at a meeting that was held on March, 26, resolved to de-link from Cricket Eastern Cape (and the Warriors Franchise) with immediate effect.
“Our biggest challenge since we became a full affiliate of CSA in February 2013 was to finalise our shareholder status at regional franchise level. It gives me great pleasure to announce this evening that Western Cape Cricket (Pty) Ltd agreed to the inclusion of South Western Districts to become part of all the Western Cape Cricket structures," he said.
"It is critical for the future of SWD Cricket specifically in terms of commercial value, hosting of high profile events, television coverage and the upgrading of our stadium."
He also highlighted the inclusion of Jean Heunis in the SA Colts team, Lyndon Volkwyn in the SA Tertiary Team, Luthando Mnyanda (Powerade SA Academy intake), Miceala Andrews (SA Girls u/19) and Hanno Kotze (SA u/23 Colts). According to him this is evident that the high performance program in the province is on track.
CSA placed a huge emphasis on its transformation program with specific reference to the Black African Development program. A high performance coach responsible for the development of elite Black African players is employed since May 2014 and the outcomes of this program is evident with the quality of players that represented SWD at junior level.
The past year also earmarked the Smooth transition regarding the establishment of the operations of the Board of Directors and Board Committee’s. This process with the aim to register SWD Cricket as a company at Companies and Intellectual Properties Commissioner is almost concluded.
A huge focus was placed on the implementation of the Operational Model for South African Cricket the past season. The aim and focus will be to ensure an increase in the 2015/16 funding allocation but with a specific purpose to generate additional funding linked to the incentive/reward scheme linked to the Operational Model.
Two new sponsors – PPC Cement and Prominent Paints – were secured and the aim will be to recruit more sponsors from the Essential Hardware Group and to maintain and built on these two sponsors.
SWD Cricket successfully presented the CSA Academies Week in September 2014 and CSA U/15 National Week in December 2014.
The National Lotteries Board again made a contribution towards a grant of R2,4 mil. In terms of the grant expenditure for NLDTF Project 65464 the expenditure plans are in progress.
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