Jesse Chellan, the new CEO of the KwaZulu Natal Cricket Union is embarking on a new initiative called “Exceptional Schoolboy Performances”. The main objective of the ESP is to recognize outstanding schoolboy performances in High Schools throughout the province.
“I believe that our players are our most valuable assets and that we, at the Union, are here to create an environment that should encourage mass participation and high performance excellence. Schoolboy cricket is hence a vital and integral part of our cricketing system. I intend to get out and meet as many of the masters, Teachers, coaches and players in both our traditional cricketing structures and the new developmental structures that have been put in place over the last few years,” said Chellan.
One of Chellan’s main objectives is to get the communication lines going among the various role players.
“I would like to establish a communication platform by email between the coaches, the school, the schoolboy players and myself. I want to know what is happening at school level, and in particular, to be aware of the performances of the schools and the schoolboy players at the high performance end of the playing spectrum,” he said.
The new CEO, who has already visited all the sub unions to get first hand knowledge of their operations said he wanted to identify the consistent and quality performers in schools cricket.
“I would appreciate each coach, teacher or Master in Charge of Cricket to send me an email on the Monday or Tuesday following a weekend’s round of fixtures advising of the ‘match-winning’ or exceptional performances, eg. batsman scoring a 100 or a bowler claiming 4 or more wickets. I would like this information for the first team as well as the A team of every age group.
This should also include any girl’s teams in the system. I want to improve our relationship with the schools,” he added.In return ‘Exceptional Schoolboy Performance’ certificates will be issued to outstanding performers and where possible, tickets to Dolphin games as well.
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