Young cricketers get a huge boost through the Sunfoil Education Trust bursary programme
The lives of several youngsters have been irrevocably changed for the better through the Sunfoil Education Trust, which has been funding cricket bursaries for select township children since 2011.
Through the Sunfoil brand, Willowton Group has been empowering South African communities through sport. The children are identified through the Sunfoil Township Cricket programme, which gives youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to experience cricket through a year-round coaching programme, with a national tournament held in KwaZulu-Natal annually.
From here, children showing talent are selected for the Sunfoil Development Squads, which allows these keen cricketers the chance to come up against some of the best cricketing schools in their province. Those showing exceptional promise are given a further boost through being eligible for the Sunfoil Education Trust (SET) which funds full bursaries that allow these children to attend top schools, were they are given continuous cricket coaching as well as academic assistance.
“Our support of cricket starts at grassroots level, because we want to show children that they can rise above any circumstance through hard work and with the right attitude,” said Shoaib Moosa, Willowton Group Director of Sales andMarketing.
“These children are given the best possible chance to develop their cricketing skills as well as future career opportunities in their lives. In addition to the bursary for education, we assist them with the transition from living at home in the township to living in a boarding school. They are given additional tuition where school work is suffering so when they matriculate they are able to pursue tertiary education opportunities.”
“Willowton Group wants to empower children through sport as we truly believe it can be a tool to uplift communities and unite South Africa.”Moosa explained that the SET is funded through Sunfoil sponsoring R2 000 for every 6, R1 000 for every 4 and R2 5000 for every wicket taken in a home Sunfoil Series Test Match.
Two KwaZulu-Natal teenagers, who started the bursary programme this year, have committed themselves to taking full advantage of this opportunity. Wonder Mtolo, 15, started his Grade 9 year at Northwood School, transferring from JL Dube High School in his hometown of KwaMashu.
This ever-smiling young cricketer, who towers over most of his counterparts, recalls the first time he was ever introduced to cricket at the age of nine.
“Siyabonga Gumede (a cricket coach with KwaMashu Cricket Club who forms part of the Sunfoil Township Cricket programme) chose a number of boys from my school (Daluxolo Primary School) and we started playing mini-cricket. “At first I was confused (by cricket) but he showed me how to hold a bat and bowl. He was a great coach so I learnt quickly.”
Wonder continued to live up to his name and, by the age of 12, was selected for the Sunfoil Elite Squad, made up of exceptional cricketers from the outlying townships in the greater Durban area.Here he played against top cricketers from a number of top KZN schools including Northwood School, Durban High School, Glenwood Boys’ High School, Kloof High School and Maritzburg College, giving Wonder a glimpse at the future that lay ahead.
It was last year that Wonder – an all-rounder with a preference for bowling – got the chance to represent his province when he was selected for the KZN U15 cricket side. “I was so happy. I didn’t think I would get it.”
He said the chance to play cricket for his province, while travelling for the first time out of Durban, was more than he could have hoped for. But Wonder was in for more good news when he was selected as one of the recipients for the Sunfoil Education Trust bursary, being placed at Northwood School.
My parents are so happy because they want me to go places. I was nervous but am now so happy.”
As well as playing for the school side, Wonder plays for the African Warriors club and will continue cricket training throughout the year through the Northwood Cricket Academy, headed by Andrew Shedlock, the Director of Cricket at Northwood. “Wonder is such a great asset at the school. He has done so well and I’m sure will make the KZN side again. He is such a good, respectful youngster and is really embracing the opportunity he has been given,” said Shedlock.
Commenting on the bursary programme, he said from both a cricketing and academic perspective, the Sunfoil Education Trust has really given these boys a great start in life. “He can now benefit from the practice in a structured environment.”
Another bursary recipient, talented batsman and spin-bowler, Thamsanqa Khumalo, 15, is currently in his third year at Glenwood High School and is taking full advantage of the Sunfoil Bursary he was awarded in 2013. The enthusiastic youngster, who hails from Ntuzuma, also started his cricket career with the Sunfoil Development Squad back in 2010.Recalling his first introduction to cricket, Thamsanqa said he had been playing soccer with some friends when he noticed one of the development coaches, Zamani Mfazi, practicing on the same field.
“I went and asked him what sport he was playing and from there he started teaching me cricket. I practiced every day, first as a pace bowler, but I eventually started batting.”In one of his first games for the INK (Inchanga/Ntuzuma/KwaMashu) Development Squad, Thamsanqa took seven wickets against an Umlazi side.
“I wasn’t bowling quickly enough so started batting in 2012. I made the KZN U13 trials and performed in every game,” said the former Siphosithu Primary School pupil, who went on to make the KZN U13 team. “I couldn’t believe that I made it. My coach (Mfazi) actually cried he was so proud.”
Playing at KZN level was tough, but Thamsanqa quickly proved himself. In a match against Glenwood High School – an annual tradition where Glenwood plays the KZN U13 side – Thamsanqa was spotted by talent scouts and earned himself the life-changing bursary.
“Going to Glenwood was a big change for me, having to learn in English, but my teachers and friends have been lots of help,” said the talented sportsman who now views English as his favourite subject.
Thamsanqa’s sporting career has gone from strength to strength, developing into a spin bowler and earning another spot in the KZN squad last year. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of favourite cricketer, Quinton de Kock, playing cricket for his country. And with the rigorous year-round cricket training through Glenwood Cricket Academy, Thamsanqa is well on his way.
Glenwood’s Director of Cricket, Kurt Donaldson, described him as an “exceptional talent” who was motivated both on the cricket field and in the classroom.“He won’t miss out on schoolwork if he can help it. He puts in as much effort academically as he does on the field and that shows a good level of responsibility and maturity,” said Donaldson. “He has loads of talent and this bursary has allowed him the chance to benefit from a school that will provide him with the necessary foundation to achieve his goals.”
Captions:
563 – Two Sunfoil Education Trust bursary learners are doing well with their studies and cricket careers. Pictured left Wonder Mtolo, 15, started his Grade 9 year at Northwood School and right Thamsanqa Khumalo, 15, is currently in his third year at Glenwood High School and taking full advantage of the Sunfoil Bursary he was awarded in 2013.
567 Front left, Thamsanqa Khumalo, of Glenwood High School showing his batting skill while behind is Wonder Mtolo, 15, of Northwood School his bowling ability. Both learners are being educated on bursaries from the Sunfoil Education Trust.