It is TI-D versus real-time

WESTERN PROVINCE’S top bowlers will have to master the Talent Identification and Development (TI-D) Programme to improve their chances of representing South Africa.

Individual records, it seems, count for little.

The TI-D Programme is the brainchild of chief national selector Theuns Fraser.

Its purpose is to improve players’ skill sets through a series of training drills made up of at least two 20-20 assessments and at least one complete set of all six T-ID exercises once a monthly under the supervision of a qualified coach.

The naysayers feel real-time play trumps all.

Take a guy such as Mowbray’s Joel Roëbert.

Few in the country can match the WP star in singles and pairs.

The former SA singles finalist has two national pairs titles to his name and myriad others at district level.

But, when he it comes to the TI-Ds, he fails to shine, probably because it’s not a real situation.

Recently invited to a training camp Roëbert failed to impress in the various drills, and marked poorly, meaning he’s not going to realise a dream of playing for his country any time soon, if ever.

His omission from one of the colour-coded national squads angers many in this neck of the woods who feel the system belongs in the Ice Age.

The past successes of the WP men and women teams at the inter-districts plus myriad titles picked up at the nationals by club players tilts you in that direction.

TI-Ds didn’t play a part at all, pure class did.

Fraser will tell you that his programme is the be-all and end-all for all players wanting to win national colours.

Last weekend’s TI-D session for local players at Constantia Bowling Club saw many men and women being put through their paces, but will any end up catching the eye of Frasers selection panel?

I say no… but hoped to be proved wrong.