Six Laerskool President Steyn pupils and teacher Mcayla van der Nest have been selected for South East Rand Cricket (SOR).

The learners selected are Megan van Zyl, Kara van Zyl, Mieke Wessels, Ivan Snyman, Shaden Germishuys and Daniel Subke. The three girls made the U13 squad, while the boys were chosen for their respective age categories.

The trial process spanned a month across four sessions, evaluating players in batting, bowling and fielding. Performances were scored out of five to determine who progressed.

Mcayla said selectors looked beyond basic ability.

“They looked at their technique, what they had, their sportsmanship,” she said.

She explained that the trials brought together pupils from different schools, making sportsmanship particularly important.

According to Mcayla, the learners supported and encouraged one another when they saw good performances in batting, bowling or fielding.

Although the six learners have varying levels of experience, all three girls in the U13 squad have played for the school for about two years.

The learners were delighted to make the SOR teams. For the school, the selections reflect the coaching staff’s commitment.

“I think that it says a lot because it states that the teachers do put in the work,” Mcayla said.

She said the school focuses not only on helping pupils improve their cricketing techniques, but also on promoting sportsmanship.

Following their selection, the learners will take part in matches and receive recognition for their achievement. They were also issued with cricket kits, including two shirts and a pair of trousers.

Teacher takes on coaching role

The achievement extends beyond the six learners, with Mcayla herself selected as one of the SOR coaches.

She was approached by her cricket organiser, who asked whether she was interested in putting her name forward.

As the coach of President Steyn’s first team and someone with a background in cricket, Mcayla submitted her name before being selected as one of the coaches.

The opportunity is particularly meaningful to her because cricket has a strong connection to her family.

Her brothers played SOR cricket when they were younger, while her father is a cricket umpire.

“It was very surreal,” Mcayla said about being selected as a coach.

She recalled immediately calling her father to share the news.

“He was so proud,” she said, recalling how her father told her she was now also part of the cricket family.
As a coach, Mcayla said her role is to treat all the children equally, promote good sportsmanship, encourage positive interactions and help players improve the finer details of their game. She said the players already understand how to play cricket, but coaching is also about identifying the smaller aspects that can help them develop further.

Building bridges beyond the pitch

While the selection allows the six learners to develop their cricket, Mcayla hopes the SOR programme will also help them build friendships with children from other schools.

She said schools normally compete against one another, but bringing the players together through SOR allows them to form friendships and create new memories.

“I really hope this brings them a bit closer,” she said.

Mcayla hopes the learners will continue to develop both on and off the field, improve their techniques, and potentially earn further opportunities in cricket.