Young cricketer makes his mark

THE lives of several young cricketers, including Glenwood High School’s Thamsanqa Khumalo, have been irrevocably changed for the better through the Sunfoil Education Trust.

The Sunfoil brand, Willowton Group has been empowering South African communities through sport. The children are identified through the Sunfoil Township Cricket programme, which gives youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to experience cricket through a year-round coaching programme, with a national tournament held in KwaZulu-Natal annually.

From here, children showing talent are selected for the Sunfoil Development Squads, which allows these keen cricketers the chance to come up against some of the best cricketing schools in their province. Those showing exceptional promise are given a further boost through being eligible for the Sunfoil Education Trust (SET) which funds full bursaries that allow these children to attend top schools, were they are given continuous cricket coaching as well as academic assistance.

Thamsanqa is one of two KwaZulu-Natal teenagers, who started the bursary programme this year, and committed themselves to taking full advantage of this opportunity.

Thamsanqa, a talented batsman and spin-bowler, is currently in his third year at Glenwood High School and is taking full advantage of the Sunfoil Bursary he was awarded in 2013.

The enthusiastic youngster, who hails from Ntuzuma, started his cricket career with the Sunfoil Development Squad back in 2010. Recalling his first introduction to cricket, Thamsanqa said he had been playing soccer with some friends when he noticed one of the development coaches, Zamani Mfazi, practicing on the same field.

“I went and asked him what sport he was playing and from there he started teaching me cricket. I practiced every day, first as a pace bowler, but I eventually started batting,” he said.

In one of his first games for the INK (Inchanga/Ntuzuma/KwaMashu) Development Squad, Thamsanqa took seven wickets against an Umlazi side.

“I wasn’t bowling quickly enough so started batting in 2012. I made the KZN U13 trials and performed in every game,” said the former Siphosithu Primary School pupil, who went on to make the KZN U13 team.

“I couldn’t believe that I made it. My coach (Mfazi) actually cried he was so proud.”

Playing at KZN level was tough, but Thamsanqa quickly proved himself. In a match against Glenwood High School – an annual tradition where Glenwood plays the KZN U13 side – Thamsanqa was spotted by talent scouts and earned himself the life-changing bursary.

“Going to Glenwood was a big change for me, having to learn in English, but my teachers and friends have been lots of help,” said the talented sportsman who now views English as his favourite subject.

Thamsanqa’s sporting career has gone from strength to strength, developing into a spin bowler and earning another spot in the KZN squad last year.

He hopes to follow in the footsteps of favourite cricketer, Quinton de Kock, playing cricket for his country. And with the rigorous year-round cricket training through Glenwood Cricket Academy, Thamsanqa is well on his way.

Glenwood’s Director of Cricket, Kurt Donaldson, described him as an “exceptional talent” who was motivated both on the cricket field and in the classroom.

“He won’t miss out on schoolwork if he can help it. He puts in as much effort academically as he does on the field and that shows a good level of responsibility and maturity,” said Donaldson. “He has loads of talent and this bursary has allowed him the chance to benefit from a school that will provide him with the necessary foundation to achieve his goals.”