Cricket South Africa (CSA) is elated to disclose its vibrant Youth Month endeavour, showcasing an array of career opportunities within the world of cricket to foster budding talent and advocate career pathways in cricket in South Africa.
This initiative will feature the CSA Pathways in Cricket Webinar series, alongside the presentation of the impact of the esteemed KFC Mini-Cricket program and the 2023 CSA National Academy intake.
The CSA Career Pathways in Cricket Webinar series is poised to be the pinnacle of this venture, endowing young cricket aficionados and current students with invaluable insights and guidance on the diverse career prospects within the sport.
This series will comprise interactive webinars featuring esteemed cricket professionals and industry experts, delving into both on-field and off-field career pathways. Participants can anticipate personal anecdotes, tales of triumph, and expert counsel, empowering them to make well-informed decisions about their cricketing future.
The webinars will be held in the last week of Youth Month on 26 and 28 June, respectively, titled “Exploring On-Field Career Opportunities & Pathway to Success” and “Off-field Career Opportunities & Pathway to Success”. For more information and to register for the webinar series, click here.
In conjunction with the webinar series, CSA takes immense pride in perpetuating its enduring alliance with KFC for the Mini-Cricket program. Geared towards primary school children aged 5 to 13, this program strives to introduce the fundamental principles of cricket in an enjoyable and inclusive manner. With the Mini-Cricket program, CSA strives to ignite fervour for cricket within the hearts of young South Africans and lay a sturdy foundation for their cricketing odyssey.
Moreover, CSA was delighted to announce the CSA National Academy Men’s and Women’s ‘Class of 2023’ earlier this month, including a capping ceremony and launch hosted at the CSA Centre of Excellence in Tshwane on 6 June.
During their tenure at the National Academy, the players will undergo demanding evaluations encompassing skills, tactics, physical abilities, and medical assessments as well as personal development interventions. This comprehensive approach ensures a well-rounded and personalized development aligned with the standards set by international cricket.
As part of a collaborative arrangement between CSA and ICC Africa, the South African men's academy players were joined by promising individuals from Nigeria, Uganda, and Tanzania. Specifically, Adbulmumuni Taiwo Mohammed, Cosmas Kyewuta, and Mohamed Omary Kitunda contributed to the exchange program.
CSA Chief Executive, Pholetsi Moseki commented:
"We are tremendously thrilled about our Youth Month initiative, which epitomizes our dedication to nurturing and fostering young cricketing talent in South Africa.
"Through the CSA Career Pathways in Cricket Webinar series, the KFC Mini-Cricket program impact statistics, and the CSA National Academy, we aim to inspire, educate, and support young cricketers and the youth of South Africa as they embark on their cricketing and life’s journey. This endeavour underscores our unwavering commitment to establishing a robust and sustainable cricketing ecosystem in our nation."
Cricket South Africa strongly encourages all young cricket enthusiasts, schools, and cricket clubs to actively participate in the Youth Month endeavour, joining the movement to empower the next generation of cricketing luminaries.