Softball on the rise in Northern Cape
THE GAME of Softball is gaining ground in the province as the newly-launched Northern Cape Softball Association (NCSBA) ramps up plans to help the game expand into school team based franchises.
NCSBA interim chairperson David Lesetedi has steered the softball structure in the Northern Cape since its inception two-and-a-half years ago.
The tenure of his interim executive was hamstrung by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Now that the Covid-19 regulations have been eased the interim association has sprung back to work, Lesetedi said.
In pursuit of the national federation’s (Softball SA) softball promotion programme the NCSBA has held several high-level interactions with interested private individuals who may be useful to their mission.
They have also held discussions at the district level with the Northern
Cape Education department representatives regarding the uptake of softball at schools under their administration. In this regard, Lesetedi said they have already handed in the NCSBA’S letter of good standing from Softball South Africa to the provincial education department.
Establish Leagues
In main, the association proposes to establish age group leagues at schools and encourage the growth of private clubs which would also play in a league structure.
Lesetedi explained that in their strategic plan the association has plans to back up their sports promotion effort with workshops and clinics in the various districts.
He said such structures that would eventually be formed must be enabled to hold elections for office bearers and for them to work towards hosting national, provincial and regional schools softball championships when and where the structure has matured.
He confirmed that the association also plans to avail training and mentoring services to the newfound softball structures which will include the training of softball coaches who are accredited with Softball SA.
“Softball South Africa will assist in training the educators designated as sports coordinators and those interested to know the sports code, school principals and SGB members in the following disciplines: scorekeeping, coaching and umpire duties. The duration of this will be the first two days in the class and one day on the softball field.”
Lesetedi claimed that some schools have been workshopped in Kimberley, parts of Warrenton and in places such as Warrenvale as well as Jan Kempdorp where they have involved the Agricultural College of Education.
These instances are far advanced and are ready to attend national schools championships.
The association was anxious for progress at places such as Warrenton’s Tlhatlogang Primary School and Warrenton Combined School including some schools in Kuruman which have not reported on the progress or readiness of the schools.
He said the NCSBA will come up with dates to revisit all schools in the districts and give workshops in preparation for the International Schools Championship which is due in December 2022 in Pretoria.
Yesterday afternoon Lesetedi and other officials of the NCSBA kicked off a series of one-hour long exhibition games at Tetlanyo High School in Galeshewe. One other such exhibition was to be held at Flamingo Primary.