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Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket franchise offers free training to aspiring cricketers at most schools in the city.
Vumi Moyo, the Matabeleland Tuskers area manager, said that the equipment which includes bats, balls, gloves and cones would be used mostly in western areas where they have had recurrent training problems.
“We have coaches who are going around schools providing free training sessions to inspire young cricketers and develop them to being better players. “Development starts from grassroots that is why we are providing coaching to youngsters. We want them to grasp the basic techniques at a tender age. For them to do this, they have to have the right equipment.
“The equipment will always be Tuskers’ property but the coaches will use it at schools, especially at schools in western areas who are underprivileged. “You find that some aspiring cricketers give up because they do not get to use cricket equipment as they are made to run or watch from the sidelines.
“We hope this move is going to re-ignite love for the sport by youngsters,” said Moyo.
Renowned development coaches Pollock Mubhobho and Trevor Phiri have been conducting coaching programmes for schools with the help of Vincent Dururu.
At times, Tuskers’ senior players are engaged to provide coaching clinics at schools and franchise’s junior teams. Spin bowler John Nyumbu was in charge of the Under-16 team that participated in the inter-franchise games in Harare last month.
Matabeleland Tuskers skipper Gavin Ewing and former national team seamer Tawanda Mupariwa have also been working with the provincial junior teams and are expected to scout for talent at schools.
Moyo said Aaron Phiri heads their developmental programmes and upon his request they would be sending the equipment to service the resort town schools as well as Hwange.
“Matabeleland Tuskers covers Bulawayo and Matabeleland North and this equipment will go a long way in ensuring that schools in these areas benefit,” Moyo said.
Online Reporter