"The EP Development Programme fully embraces the process of transformation and all its activities are in line with the requirements of the transformation process," says Tono Mle, Development Manager of the Eastern Province Cricket Board.

"The Eastern Province Cricket Board's development programme is probably one of the best cricket development programmes in South Africa."

This is due to the programme-producing cricketers for both provincial and national teams.

"Our development programme is based on three objectives. Firstly, cricket has to be made accessible to all the people from the previously disadvantaged communities. Second we have to ensure that we provide the best training and coaching to the developing players and give them all the opportunities possible and thirdly develop human resources by educating and stimulating teachers and volunteers to become dedicated coaches."

So far, it has worked very well.

The EP Development Programme's clear track record of achievement by cricketers like Kenneth Mahuwa, Lulama Masikazana, to the current crickets like Mfuneko Ngam, Lazola Dipa, Manilakhe Dipa, Mpumelelo Silwana, Zwelibanzi Homani, Craig Thyssen and Brett Kopps. All of them have national colours at various levels.

"During the year 2000 alone, more than half of the players were players of colour in all the representative teams. In the EP U/15 side, which unfortunately lost in the finals of the PG Bison week, seven out of the 12 players were players of colour.

"Out of the five Eastern Province players that were selected for the SA Schools team, Craig Thyssen, Zwelibanzi Homani and Lazola Dipha are from the EP Development Programme," says Mle.

The EP Development Programme had three players in the SA u/15 team, which participated in u/15 World Cup held in England. One of the Eastern Province cricketers was a captain of the side.

Mle is certain that the EP Development Programme can attribute its success to four fundamentals.

"We have proper structure in the Eastern Province to ensure that everyone is on board and catered for.

"The Eastern Province is divided in seven regions. They are the PE Township region, the PE Northern Areas region, the Humansdorp area, Uitenhage area, Central Karoo area, Albany and Winterberg areas.

"In each of these regions, there is a development sub-committee which meets on a monthly basis to discuss cricket activities related to their region.

The Chairman of these committees serve on the EP Development Committee better known as the EP Development Chairman's Forum which acts more as a decision making body."

The second fundamental on which the success of the EP Development Programme can be based is the unique system of operation, called decentralization.

"This means that a portion of the funds received from various resources is decentralized or divided amongst the 7 regions based on the number of schools playing cricket, cricket facilities and the ability of that region to produce provincial players etc.

This system of operation ensures accountability, responsibility and empowerment.

Last year the seven regions received:

• PE Township R38 000
• PE Northern Area R38 000
• Humansdorp R20 000
• Uitenhage R22 000
• Albany R35 000
• Winterberg R35 000
• Central Karoo R35 000

This funds are used for transport subsidies, cricket equipment, facilities etc.

Mle feels that the Eastern Province is fortunate to have so many good cricket administrators. He says that most of the teachers involved in cricket and cricket structures are doing it for the love of the game and for the love of the cricketers.

"It's a fact that we would not be where we are today, without the high level of commitment to the establishment of cricket facilities and the support of cricket administrators."

One of the commitments of the EP Development Programme is to establish new cricket facilities.

"During the past five years 89 cricket nets, 27 concrete middle wickets and 7 turf wickets have been built in the entire province. These facilities have been built with the assistance of PPC cement, UCB and the EP Cricket Board," he says.

"Something that ensures that teachers and volunteers have a solid understanding of cricket and become top cricket coaches, are the various cricket courses that are available. Since 1995, a number of teachers and volunteers have attended some of these courses.

• Mini Cricket Course 1280
• Level I 840
• Level II 210
• Level III 29
• Umpiring course (elementary) 194

Another feature in the EP Development Programme is Mini Cricket.

Mini Cricket in the Eastern Province is operated on the same lines as the traditional cricket with the same structures. They also have an additional region, PE City.

"Mini Cricket is a wonderful bridge-builder. This game is mainly used to introduce the game of cricket to areas where cricket has never been played before and to spread the love of the game," Mla says.

The EP Mini Cricket Committee is headed by Elma Papenfus and is operated with a budget of R126 000. Each region receives R12 000 per year and the remaining R18 000 is then utilized on mini cricket seminars and provincial mini cricket festivals.

"The Mini Cricket Festivals is wonderful opportunity for the players to display their skills and also to identify the stars of tomorrow. During the past year, nineteen regional and three provincial festivals were held, one of which was a girls' festival."

Another concept in developing talented players is the new concept of establishing Cricket Schools. "Our vision is to create more top schools like Grey High School and Alexander Road in the disadvantaged areas.

"A three phase plan is currently in place and the place entails phase I as the identification of these schools and to establish suitable facilities.

During phase II, we ensure that the cricket teams are adequately kitted and during phase III we assign a professional coach to the schools."

A number of schools have been identified and facilities have been built at these schools.

Northern Areas