May 2021
Sports contribute greatly to the physical and psychological well-being of agri-workers and their children as well as the broader community they live in. Sporting events are supported by the community and are wonderful opportunities to socialise outside of work context. Sports facilities are often lacking in rural farming communities. Establishing easily accessible and quality facilities on farms as well as support through funding and training, create opportunities for workers and their children to actively participate.
In 2015, well-known English cricketer, Sir Ian Botham, visited South Africa for a fundraising event. As result of this event, the Waitrose Foundation (SA) received funding to invest in cricket development from which farms in the Western and Northern Cape benefitted.
Three farms in the Northern Cape started a joint venture to develop cricket within the afterschool centre: Rooipad, Stofeiland and Zwartbooisberg. With the help of a coach, Dawid Majua, weekly training sessions commenced in November 2020. The administration of this project was managed by Stofeiland under the leadership of Elma Esterhuysen.
These photos were taken on Saturday, 15 May, at a cricket tournament arranged by the convenors from the farms. The 'Rooipad Rooimiere' (Rooipad farm's Junior Cricket team) along with the ‘Stoftrappers’ (Stofeiland) and Berg Bokkies (Zwartbooisberg), participated in the tournament at Rooipad sports field.
A special thank you to Elma Esterhuysen, Mariana Visagie and Elaine van Niekerk for sharing these photos. It is wonderful seeing the kids out and about enjoying their cricket. A wonderful initiative and well supported event brining the communities together.
