WATCH: Alberton cricketer gets chance of a lifetime
Tristan van Schalkwyk, a talented young cricketer from Hoërskool Marais Viljoen High, has been chosen to participate in Cricket South Africa’s Talent Acceleration Programme.
The wicketkeeper-batsman, in Grade 10, will join the training group from August 26 to 29 in Pretoria.
“This is a massive opportunity for Tristan to showcase his talent. He is a talented top-order batsman and exceptional gloveman. Good luck Tristan, Marais Viljoen is proud of you,” said his principal, Martie Heystek
A dream come true
Tristan started playing cricket around the age of 10. His true love for the game would be discovered around the age of 13 when his passion for the game became much deeper. Since that time, van Schalkwyk has dedicated himself to excelling in the gentleman’s sport. He tries to train at least five or six times a week.
Being included in the acceleration programme is a dream come true for van Schalkwyk. The acceleration programme serves as a basis to identify players for the u-16 and u-17 South African sides.
“It would mean the world to me to represent South Africa on any level,” said van Schalkwyk.
His father, Malcolm van Schalkwyk, said: “We are very proud of him and support him fully in everything he does.”
According to his father, van Schalkwyk has always been a talented sportsman and would be able to play anywhere.
Van Schalkwyk enjoys batting the most.
“Spending time in the middle with the atmosphere is amazing.”
The excitement of the game even reaches the night before, with van Schalkwyk saying his favourite thing is packing his kit before the game, picturing the match to come.
His hero within the sport is Aiden Markram, the Protea opening batsman. Van Schalkwyk admires the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch and sees this as something to strive for.
