Eastern Cricket Union’s mini-cricket programme is showing encouraging signs of recovery and growth after the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking to the Benoni City Times (sister paper of the African Reporter) at the Easterns KFC Mini-Cricket Provincial Seminar on August 14 at Willowmoore Park, Easterns mini-cricket coordinator Julius Maziya said the programme had rebuilt its reach to 256 schools, with about 7 000 learners participating.

Maziya acknowledged the pandemic had a significant impact on the programme, which had previously been close to 250 schools before falling to about 220.

However, the addition of roughly 30 schools during the previous season has restored the programme to 256 schools, with further expansion already underway.

“We are in the process again of entering new schools into the system,” Maziya said.

He said growth was also being driven through pre-schools, with coaching courses already conducted at 12 pre-schools in Tsakani, 10 in Langaville and another 37 in Germiston.

Maziya said the programme’s growth was important not only for increasing participation but also for strengthening Easterns’ player pathway.

As a product of the mini-cricket system himself, he said it was particularly rewarding to see players progress through the ranks and eventually represent South Africa.

“We want to produce more of those guys,” he said.

Maziya also stressed the importance of teachers and volunteers in ensuring the programme could reach young players, saying their contribution was fundamental to the sustainability of mini-cricket.

He identified visibility and building stronger relationships with schools as key priorities for growing participation, and said that being on the ground allowed Easterns to better understand and address schools’ challenges.

The seminar also highlighted the importance of safeguarding, with Cricket South Africa (CSA) safeguarding officer Dumile Skade delivering a presentation to coaches and volunteers.

The event celebrated the people helping to build the programme, with Actonville resident Basheera Mayet honoured after being nominated for Mini-Cricket Coach of the Year at the CSA Awards.

Puleng Moeketsane was also celebrated for her nomination at the SA Sports Awards, with her success stories including those of former Proteas wicketkeeper Mangaliso Mosehle.

Maziya said recognising volunteers was a reminder that the programme’s success depended on collective effort.

“Without them, then there’s no mini-cricket,” he said.