Namibia development push continues to schools and Walvis Bay

Cricket Namibia has recently unveiled a plethora of announcements and additions to the cricketing landscape, and the momentum being built by the association continues to grow. 

Coaching Clinics take the sport to primary schools

One aim for many associations is to get the sport into education systems in an effort to spark an early passion for cricket, and Cricket Namibia was recently able to achieve this feat through the Pupkewitz Toyota Coaching Clinics. Initially, these coaching sessions were scheduled to take place in March, however, due COVID-19, the event was postponed. With cricket recently restarting in the country, which meant that the Richelieu Franchise T20 was able to conclude, the coaching clinics were able to be held. 

The sessions took place in six primary schools across Windhoek, presenting a fantastic opportunity for Namibia’s future cricketers. Five national team players were present during the two-hour-long coaching clinics which gave the primary school children an opportunity to learn from some of the country’s best talents. When speaking about the initiative, Cricket Namibia stated that ‘The aim of this initiative and the involvement of the Eagles is to mentor our younger cricketers, familiarise themselves with our National players and to create a connection with their local cricket heroes’.

Walvis Bay Salt Refiners extend youth tournament partnership

For the seventh year in a row, the Walvis Bay Salt Group will be involved with the annual Coastal Youth Festival. According to Cricket Namibia, the tournament which is now in its 24th year ‘has been a great platform for younger cricketers to excel and develop their potential’. The tournament has seen a number of current national team players previously participate and this year’s tournament will provide an insight into the country’s talent. 

This year’s tournament sees the addition of a girls-only tournament which is set to be played in parallel with the boy’s event. The two tournaments started on the 23rd October and will run until the 25th with the boy’s tournament being held in Walvis Bay while the female event is being held in Swakopmund. 

Andre Snyman, Walvis Bay Salt Refiners Managing director, quoted British politician and former track and field athlete Sebastian Coe when talking about the partnership. Snyman reflected that ‘Sport is a universal language, building more bridges between people than anything else I can think of…’. Alongside his quote, Synman spoke about the difficulties that the global pandemic created for both the town and community of Walvis Bay and hoped that the coastal tournament will allow the children to play and enjoy the game.

Cricket travels to Kuisebmond, Walvis Bay

It has previously been documented that Cricket Namibia is aiming to grow the sport outside of Windhoek and there are now steps being put in place to ensure that it becomes a reality.  

One of the most recent moves to take cricket out of the capital city has seen Cricket Namibia’s Highperformace Coordinator, Dee Thakur, facilitate an introductory coaching course in Walvis Bay, at Kuisebmond Secondary School from 16th and 17th of October 2020.

Jonathan Maswahu, Principal of Kuisebmond Secondary school welcomed the participants and commended Cricket Namibia for giving the teachers the opportunity to help integrate cricket into the local community. 

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