Colour players reject quota system

And comments from a number of players from 23 and under and who are regarded as part of the ``development programme'' indicates that perhaps Steve Tshwete and his department of sport, as well a Mluleki George, of the National Sports Council, may have misread the mood of the players. There is also a growing feeling the politicians have lost touch with the young sportsmen and women they are supposed to represent.

Following in the wake of the United Cricket Board's policy to set up a nation twin tier selection system to monitor the choice of players and ensure that ``players of colour are selected'', a number of black players have rejected the quota system. For them the terms carry a distinguishing stigma with which they want no part.

Supporting this view are two administrators from the Northerns Cricket Union, Shane Gouldie director of youth affairs and Anton Ferreira, director of the academy. The rank and file players back both from under/13 to under/19 level. Their powerful arguments make a lot more sense than do those prescribing policy from the sidelines.

As South Africa's burgeoning youth shake a collective head at what they call the ``quota shame'' Peter Kirsten, running a realistic eye over the talent available in the province, feels Northerns are still a couple of years away from producing a ``merit player'' from the ranks.

Gift Pedi, Aldin Smith and Nqaba Matoti are grappling with the embarrassment of an ``affirmative action'' policy with which they reject as being ham fisted and morally wrong, Matoti has also pointed out ``the players have not been canvassed'' for an opinion on the ``quota system''.

Gouldie, in charge of Northerns youth programme for the past four years said the ``number of players had increased'' and standard levels improved since his department scrapped the quota system after one season.

``It did not work at all for us. But what we have put in its place, merit selection, has worked to our advantage and noticeably more black players are coming through the system,'' he said yesterday.

There are now more than 1 000 players under the age of 13 in what he prefers to call the ``nurturing programme'' and five times as many want to get involved. At present there were 43 young players who had bursaries and are attending local highschools of note and reputation.

``While the quota system may work at primary (lower) school level it has not worked at high school.

``Players want to see themselves selected on merit and not as part of a quota system. They feel if they are good enough they will make it,'' Gouldie said.

In sides recently selected for various age group tournaments held by the United Schools and Students Association of South Africa (Ussasa) there were an average of three players of colour in the sides from under/15 to under /17 and under/19 while there are eight three under/13 teams.

Gouldie felt the negatives of the quota system were that the players were not really accepted and that they only made the side because they were part of the system and not the more acceptable merit system. Apart from the stigma of making the team as a ``affirmative action'' they also felt left out because there are no support systems available once they had left the programme.

``We cannot work from the top down. We have to meet at a level where it is going to succeed and also involve the parents in an education programme once the players have left the system,'' he said. ``The youngsters need a home support system and educating parents about a game they do not pretend to understand is part of this process.''

Another problem facing ``players colour'' is that they had not as yet discovered a role model from their own area from which to draw inspiration or motivation; this was going to take time.''

Ferreira's message was blunt and direct for those who are trying to prescribe selection policy and then expect a pat on the back and also expect immediate results.

``Sport is about exposure and hard work; a lot of hard work,'' said the former Warwickshire and Northerns all-rounder. ``At present there seems to be a culture of hand outs. This needs to be changed to a culture of achievements.

``There are many of us who feel about as excited about seeing Makhaya Ntini or Paul Adams taking wickets in a Test as we do when Allan Donald or Shaun Pollock take wickets,'' he commented.

``The (Northerns) Academy is not just about developing players; it is also about developing people to become better citizens,'' he added.

Ferreira felt the under/19 team at the Youth World Cup last season and of which he was the manager, had an ideal mix and exposure through the tournament. This was because it was selectred sorely on merit and not through a quota system.

``This is why the side worked so well together an each player pulled for the other. Yet, like life, it is all about setting goals and achieving those goals.''