By Nangamso Mabindla
16 May 2006

ASPIRING young cricket stars took to the pitch over the weekend when Active Community Clubs (ACC) hosted an all-star cricket tournament in Mdantsane.

The ACC is made up of four clubs from three impoverished townships around Buffalo City – Ilitha in Ilitha, Thembalethu and Winter Rose in Mdantsane, and Siyakhula in Potsdam. The initiative, which was established in 2001 with the assistance of the Australian Sports Commission, helps underprivileged teams develop their players' skills.

Speaking at the tournament, on 12 and 13 May, the regional manager of the Australia Africa 2006 Sports Development programme, Thoko Mlonyeni, said the group saw a need to encourage extra-mural activities at local schools. "Our schools did not have any extra-mural activities and as part of our community involvement we decided to initiate this Active Community Clubs programme."

The cricket tournament, focusing on under-11s to under-15s, was part of this initiative to encourage youngsters to take part in sports. "With this tournament we are closing our cricket season and readying ourselves for the upcoming exciting rugby and netball seasons," Mlonyeni added.

Thembalethu ACC youngsters showed their class by winning the overall trophy – and a cricket bat signed by the Australian team that toured South Africa early this year.

Also, the best bowler and best batsman received medals for their efforts. Border Cricket chief executive, Themba Lupuwana, was one of the dignitaries who attended the tournament.

He thanked the Australians for the support they have given to developmental cricket. "We at Border Cricket see tournaments like these as a developmental tool for young black cricketers. We will keep an eye on the youngsters who excel in these tournaments."

He said he hoped these tournaments would produce future Proteas to emulate the likes of fast bowlers Makhaya Ntini and Monde Zondeki.

Looking to the future, Mlonyeni said that since the Australian programme was coming to an end in June, the ACC was negotiating with the provincial department of sports, recreation, arts and culture for possible funding.

"If we don't receive funding, we hope that the department will integrate our programme with the new government programme – mass participation that aims to promote sport in schools."