Two local cricket clubs are preparing to amalgamate in time for the 2021/2022-cricket season, to combat a lack of resources in their respective clubs.
Spes Bona Cricket Club in Cloetesville, and Stellenbosch and Districts Cricket Club in Idas Valley, are ironing out the final stages of the club’s merge, said Ashley Davids, development officer at Spes Bona Cricket Club. The two clubs would become Stellenbosch Cricket Club, he said.
According to Davids, both of the Stellenbosch clubs are struggling to sustain servicing the Cloetesville and Idas Valley communities independently.
“We can’t sustain servicing the community on our own. So, we decided to put together our resources, so that we can best serve our community – especially, the kids in the community,” Davids said.
Over the past few seasons, members have also been dwindling at the cricket club in Cloetesville, he said.
It is the same for the Stellenbosch and Districts Cricket Club.
“We are not in the position as a single club to remain a sustainable club. We are not able to actually reach a lot of youngsters across communities,” said Brian Minnis, chairperson of the Stellenbosch and Districts Cricket Club.
Members of the two clubs sit in on a public meeting. The aim of this amalgamation is to develop the game of cricket at grassroots level and ensure mass participation, according to Brian Minnis, chairperson of Stellenbosch and Districts Cricket Club. PHOTO: Supplied/Brian Minnus
If the clubs combine their resources, these obstacles that have restricted the clubs to put a mark on cricket in the area, could be resolved, said Minnis. One joint resource that will aid the new club is an increase in human resources, Minnis said.
According to Shirle Cornelissen, the head coach of all senior teams at Stellenbosch and Districts Cricket Club, the venture’s main goal is to uplift cricket as a whole in the communities.
“By combining resources, players, facilities, knowledge … the envisaged new club will have the potential of becoming a force in Boland Cricket, and more importantly take cricket to a more professional level within our communities,” he said.
Although there is still a long process that follows before the two clubs operate under the same banner, the buy-in from the community could make the venture something great, Cornelissen said.
“This will hugely benefit those that come after us, as well as for the future and sustainability of cricket in Stellenbosch,” said Cornelissen.
The amalgamation of the clubs would also mean that there would be more competition within the club, he said.
“The new club will have many more players competing for particular positions within the respective teams. In addition, the respective leagues we hope to play in, will ensure that our players’ skills and overall cricket ability will improve,” said Cornelissen.