Joy of cricket
JP21 Project ensures school cricketers on a good wicket
WOODVILLE Primary School beat Montagu Drive Primary School in the Under-13 final of the JP21 Project, an initiative founded by Protea star JP Duminy in 2014. The finals were held at Newlands Cricket Ground yesterday, and the day’s events included a celebrity play-off between two invitational sides captained by Robin Peterson and Dane Piedt, and the U11 and U13 six-a-side final.
THE EXCITEMENT was palpable when aspiring cricketers from primary schools across the Cape Flats were given an opportunity to play at Newlands Cricket Ground yesterday. The event, which was part of the JP21 Project, was founded by Protea star JP Duminy in 2014, with the aim of re-igniting the passion and enthusiasm for the game of cricket in underprivileged communities.
At yesterday’s event, not only did the pupils play in league finals, but also had an opportunity to meet professional cricketers and some of the city’s influential people.
They included Cape Cobras and Protea cricketers Robin Peterson and Dane Piedt, former Springbok prop Eddie Andrews and media personalities such as Cape Argus editor Gasant Abarder and Good Hope FM’s Dalin Oliver.
The day started with a six aside play-off between the celebrities, which was followed by the under-11 and under-13s finals.
Andrews, a Mitchells Plain ward councillor, said one thing he had observed was that sport could be used as a vehicle to make friends, know people and also as a way of communicating.
“This sends out a clear message that you can achieve success irrespective of your background,” said Andrews.
Peterson, who was surrounded by pupils asking him for autographs, said it was important to train children at grass-root level. “We are trying to get cricket back to schools, where we started.
“To play cricket professionally you have to enjoy what you are doing and put in the hours and be enthusiastic, which is what I see in these kids.”
President of the Western Province Cricket Association, Beresford Williams said the JP21 Project provided an opportunity to spread the cricket footprint by getting young people playing at an early age.
“It is important to give our youngsters a taste of what it is like to play at PPC Newlands Cricket Ground instead of always watching professionals play on TV.”
Courtney Meiring, 12, a Grade 7 Eisleben Road Primary School pupil, played in a team with Peterson. Courtney is the only girl who is part of the school’s cricket team, and said she had dreams of playing professionally. I have been playing cricket in my street, since I was five years old; I only joined the school team this year and I love cricket.”
The league cup was won by Harvester Primary School in the under-11 division and Woodville Primary School in the under-13 division. Parkhurst Primary School took second place in the under-11 division and third in the under-13.
Montagu Primary School took second place in the under-13 division, and Rocklands Primary School took third in the under-11 division.