On Saturday, 18 February a dream was realized during a mini-cricket programme at Gill College.
Two years ago Old Gillians, Nick and John Walton, shared their dream with Tono Mle, Manager EP Amateur Cricket and Peter Muzzel, Cricket SA. Cricket at schools in the Somerset East area needed a boost; professional coaching and a facility that would serve boys and girls of all schools. This dream fitted in perfectly with that of Mr Mle, EP and Cricket SA; to develop a culture of cricket at schools in the Eastern Cape Midlands. Boys and girls from disadvantaged communities were to be drawn into a programme that would identify and develop talent through professional coaching, matches, camps and clinics. Further, “we need to foster healthy relations and inspire the aspirations of our youth.”
After considerable investigation, Gill College and Gill Primary, at the foot of Bosberg mountain in Somerset East, were identified as the facility. An agreement was drawn up between Gill and EP Amateur Cricket enabling the Cricket School to be established.
Our enthusiastic young coach, Simthembile Philip began coaching in January. He has completed coaching Levels 1 &2 and Level C on umpiring and is a Sports Psychology student at NMMU. Philip is a talented pace bowler and plays Premier League for the Zwide Club in PE. He humbly believes he can make a difference and this is supported by positive feedback from parents and players.
Dignitaries, Donovan May, President EP Cricket, Tono Mle, Manager EP Amateur Cricket together with their support team, 14 Mini cricket teams, coaches, teachers and parents were welcomed by Hein van Heerden, headmaster of Gill College.
In his keynote address Donovan May emphasized that cricket galvanizes people of all races.
EP Cricket was intent on growth, and the partnership between EP Cricket and Gill is the; “implementation of our growth policy. We have talent scouts, looking for players to grow through the ranks. They will be nurtured and given opportunities to play.”
Businesses are also invited to assist and invest. Cricket must develop at Gill, the flagship in the area, easily accessible to the broader community. The headmaster’s dream of acquiring the underutilized field opposite Gill would add a new dimension to the Cricket School of Excellence.
Alan Straton
Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)
- Pay@ Puts Automatic Reconciliation at the Centre of Year-End Collections - 13 November 2026
- Renal Supplies Water Systems Plans Dialysis RO Plants From Tap to Drain - 13 November 2026
- Balwin Properties Sets Out What Comes Standard in Its New Apartments - 13 November 2026
- Dr. T Fletcher Calls for Glaucoma Checks Before the Year Closes - 13 November 2026
- PaperTrail Adds Scout AI Search to Its Document Management Software - 12 November 2026
