Brand-new cricket nets installed at Gustrouw Sports Field marks the start of a new season for the lads and ladies at Strand Cricket Club (SCC), who are hard at training in building a team that will compete in the Western Province second division this year.
The fairly new club, which was established in 2016 and registered with Western Province since 2019, had previously played home games in Sir Lowry’s Pass.
“Gustrouw is our home now,” SCC chairperson Isador Armien declared. He praised the Gustrouw Municipal Facilities Management Committee (MFMC), in particular Theo Booysen and Brian Smith as well as groundsman Nicholas Thomas for all their efforts and energy in ensuring the installation of nets and quality of field for the cricket teams. “We applied last year to the City for nets and it has materialised. We’re overjoyed and believe that we will put it to good use in preparation for all our games this season.”
SCC boasts two senior men’s teams and one ladies team, and this year will focus on establishing another seniors team as well as a junior team.
“This club continues to go from strength to strength and we’re incredibly grateful to all our members for making this possible, and at the same time we welcome new members from anywhere in the Helderberg to join our team,” said Armien. “Our main focus is and has always been community upliftment and togetherness, and we will continue to strive for the betterment of our community.”
SCC has also welcomed a seasoned new coach into their midst – Wayne Bosch, who comes from a cricketing background having coached Boland age groups, Hermanus Cricket Club and schools teams since 2008.
Asked for his first impressions of SCC, Bosch said he sees players who are passionate about community and about each other. “These qualities drew me towards taking up the position of coach, for this is a young team that can develop and grow, and it’s an opportunity to leave my mark on them,” he said. “I think this team can achieve so much, and I feel really fortunate that I can be part of their growth and identity.”
Anyone interested in joining SCC can call founding member and veteran player Vernon Swartland on 078 421 9775.
