Ashleigh Whaley
First Tour to South Africa: September 2022.
Preparing for the tour…
Once the travelling team was chosen, including Paula Joy, it was time to get some serious coaching and to up their training schedule.
Paula Joy’s school work also needed to be up to date… Fortunately, she thrives on being kept busy and always makes the most of every opportunity.
Paula Joy was the youngest team member, as she had just turned 13. She is, however, the tallest girl in the team, which always causes a few laughs.
For most members of the U19 team, this cricket tour was a first, for many reasons. It was a truly a wonderful experience for me to have taken a part, in exposing these girls to a whole new world.
Passports Obtained.
Most of the girls in the team had to quickly submit their passport applications, to enable them to tour to South Africa, by the end of September.
Having a passport in Zimbabwe is considered a luxury, due to the high cost of travel and the hard economic times the country is experiencing. Getting a passport in Zimbabwe also takes hours of patient waiting, usually in long queues.
Thankfully, all the passports were issued in time and this considerable obstacle had been overcome.
Four Day Training Camp.
A week before the tour, the girls had a 4 day training camp, which helped them get to know one another and to have valuable match time, by playing against various Under 17 boys teams.
Pepsi Zimbabwe provided all the refreshments for this camp, which was much appreciated. Grateful thanks go to Pepsi!
Tour Excitement.
As the week progressed, so the excitement amongst the girls grew to fever pitch! Many of the girls had never left Zimbabwe, let alone ever having travelled on a plane.
This was such a wonderful experience for them, especially as many of the girls come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Team Uniform.
As the girls received their team shirts, complete with their surname and number, the dream of representing their country became reality. Cleaning their kit and packing bags then became a very important task.
Well Worn Equipment.
With Zimbabwe’s failing economy, life has become very tough. We have all learnt to use whatever is at hand, and to share everything we have… Subsequently, the Zimbabwe girls travelled with only a few cricket bats, pads and helmets.
They used borrowed batting pads and many cricket gloves had holes in them. This situation did not upset them at all, – as all they wanted to do was to get on with the matches!
Tour Departure.
Finally, the day of departure arrived and the team looked amazing in their new travel uniforms. During the SAA Flight, from Harare to Johannesburg, and during the short bus ride to the Johannesburg Garden Court Hotel, the girls chatted continuously, enjoying every single minute of the trip.
Hotel Princesses.
As they arrived at the hotel, so the excitement continued to build, as the girls imagined themselves as princesses entering a castle!
It was truly wonderful to observe their delight! They soon settled in, but not before they had enjoyed riding up and down in the hotel lifts!
Team Busses.
The team had net practice the following day and then it was match time! The South Africa Cricket Association provided team busses for the week and our girls so loved traveling in style!
A new luxury bus is a very rare thing in Zimbabwe.
Just so many first for our girls which they embraced, experienced and thoroughly enjoyed!
Matches Begin.
There were 5 matches played, over one week. In their first match, our girls gave it their all, but were narrowly beaten, by 8 runs. It was a real confidence booster for the team, as South Africa is a very well structured and developed team.
Willowmoore Cricket Stadium.
The second game was playing in the large and immaculately prepared Willowmoore Cricket Stadium. Another first for our girls, as they had never played in a large stadium, which caused much awe and a little anxiety.
Losing Matches.
Unfortunately, we lost the next three games, by loads of runs… However, the girls batted the whole 20 overs and bowled their hearts out. It was a joy to see that, despite losing, the girls still gave it their all.
Rest days between matches were spent doing school work, before and after net practice, – followed by some swimming in the lovely hotel pool.
A Development Team.
Our Zimbabwe team is made up of young girls, many of whom have years ahead, to hone their cricketing skills, before they join the adult teams.
We can all be very proud of these young girls and how they conducted themselves throughout the week in Johannesburg.
They returned home with so many ‘firsts’ now well behind them. For now, it is back to lots of training, improving on their weaknesses and strengthening their strengths.
ICC Announcement.
Shortly after the South African tour, the ICC announced that no players, under 15 years of age, would be eligible to partake in the U19 World Cup Cricket Tournament. Paula Joy has had to step down, – for now.
U19 Women’s Cricket World Cup: January 2023
As I write, our girls are participating in the U19 Women’s Cricket World Cup, which is being held in South Africa. They are giving of their best and learning what it means to play cricket with the top teams in the world! Another first for our plucky cricketing girls!
The team will come away with valuable experience and many memories of representing their country at an international event. They, and us, could not be prouder!
May God bless our Zimbabwe cricketing girls…
‘Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.’ 1 Peter 5 vs 7.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for these amazing women whom you love so dearly. May You continue to bless them, and the coaching staff, as they journey towards greatness. May they always shine for You, in Jesus name ..Amen.
Please leave your comments below…..
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