Hard work and commitment are beginning to pay off for Crawford College Lonehill’s young cricketers, with five learners progressing to the next round of the Johannesburg East Regional Cricket Trials.

Khieran Slater (U14), Didi Matebesi (U16), Tebogo Matebesi (U16), Kieran Quin (U16) and Michael Madziba (U19) have all progressed through the initial stages of the regional selection process.

According to Crawford College Lonehill cricket coach Dilin Chethram, the achievement reflects more than the learners’ natural sporting ability.

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“Their willingness to give up valuable holiday time to train, develop their skills and prepare themselves for the challenges of representative cricket is a testament to their character and determination,” said Chethram.

The five learners continued attending cricket training sessions during the recent school holidays, demonstrating their commitment to improving their game while many of their peers were enjoying a break.

Chethram said this dedication was an encouraging indication of the culture developing within the school’s cricket programme, where preparation, consistency and hard work are increasingly being valued.

At Crawford, sport forms an important part of the holistic development of learners. Cricket provides an environment where learners can develop as athletes while also building confidence, resilience and responsibility.

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“Through training and competition, learners learn the value of teamwork, accountability, discipline, perseverance and the ability to respond positively to both success and adversity,” said Chethram.

The school is also seeing encouraging growth in girls’ cricket, with an increasing focus on creating opportunities for young female cricketers to participate, develop their skills and compete at a higher level.

The progression of Khieran, Didi and Tebogo through the regional trial process highlights the potential within the girls’ programme and could inspire more young learners to take up the sport.

Chethram said the growth of the girls’ programme forms part of a broader vision to establish a sustainable, inclusive and competitive cricket culture at Crawford.

“The aim is not simply to produce talented cricketers, but to create an environment where students are encouraged to challenge themselves, support one another and develop a genuine love for the game,” Chethram said.

The school’s cricket programme continues to focus on technical development, match awareness, teamwork and creating opportunities for learners across different age groups.

For Chethram, the five learners’ progression is not an endpoint, but another step in the continued development of Crawford cricket.

As the five cricketers prepare for the next stage of the regional selection process in September, the Crawford community will be watching with pride.

“The message to our young cricketers is simple: work hard, embrace every opportunity, represent your school with pride and never stop striving for excellence,” said Chethram.

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