Devon Cricket Board - UPDATED - Under 15 South Africa tour

UPDATED - Under 15 South Africa tour

THE FIRST TEN
Results

The 2011 tour marks something of a milestone, being our tenth visit to South Africa in as many years. It has become a well established part of the county youth programme and it is no exaggeration to say that each one has provided our young players with a memorable experience. To play overseas in somewhat unfamiliar conditions against competitive and talented opposition provides the players with another layer of experience in a development programme designed to maximise their potential.

South Africa is a wonderful country to visit and we have established lasting and valuable contacts in Kruger and Cape Town, people who have become true friends of Devon cricket. They are without doubt the principal reason why the visits have been so successful and enjoyable.

I have no doubt about the value of an overseas tour and our established links make South Africa an obvious choice, there are alternative destinations but what it offers will take some beating.

Much better then to see the first ten tours as just the ‘start’.

To the players going on the 2011 tour I make no apologies for offering the same advice as in previous years:-

Embrace everything the country has to offer. Enjoy and learn from the cricket experience, the principal reason for travelling 6000 miles. Absorb the geography both physical, South Africa is a stunningly country, and human, the people are invariably warm and welcoming.

Remember that on short tours failure tends to be exaggerated, there is little time to dwell on disappointment before the next game, what matters, is how you respond. Nobody on the management side will complain if you always strive to do your best, it is your tour and we are there to help

You will certainly return to the UK richer for the experience, how much will depend on what you make of a unique opportunity.

Alan Swift
Under 15 Team Manager & tour organiser.

NEW TREE REQUIRED

Paging through tour brochures of the Devon Cricket Board Development Tour of the past nine years brought back a few dearly cherished memories. Although the coaches and team manager were much younger (and prettier) then, at the time one did not realize that the tour would bring so many and such good friends along. Not only were friendships built, but also good cricket has been played the way it should be.

The very first tour to the Kruger National Park included a two night stay and only one cricket match against a Lowfeld invitational side which produced very tired and overheated visitors. One will never forget the very humid and hot conditions our British visitors had to endure during the match day. February often brings along temperatures of 42 degrees Celsius, and one felt at the time that our visitors deserved a heartier welcome. I personally thought that the heat would make the Brits think twice about another visit to Kruger. Thankfully the tour has continued for eight more years during which time cricket and personal friendships were built.

The tour developed from a two night stay to a five day visit which now includes a two day declaration match against Nelspruit High school. This annual cricket match has become a traditional event for Nelspruit High and is also one of the highlights on their under 15 cricket calendar.

What stood out over the years was not only the high standard of cricket Devon brought to the Lowfeld but also without exception capable, friendly staff and well mannered cricket players. This one would like to believe are the core ingredients of what makes the Devon tour to South Africa a success and reputable one. Thus the reason we look forward to hosting the DCB Development Tour once again.

One would also herewith like to make use of the opportunity to thank the DCB for the support they have given the Skukuza Cricket Club through donations as well as equipment over the past nine tours. These gestures were put to good use by either supporting needy cricketers or improving the club’s own facilities. Such support is highly appreciated.

On a lighter note – at the end of the 2007 tour, Alan Swift planted a tree at the Skukuza Cricket Club (The Devon Tree).This tree was growing like the proverbial cabbage over the past three years until…… an elephant un-ceremoniously uprooted it a few weeks ago. I think is only proper that the tree is replaced and that Alan does us the honour of planting it during the next tour.

We once again look forward to the next tour and 2011 being the tenth would like to guarantee, not the weather, but a memorable one for all the players and staff.

Frik Rossouw
Skukuza Cricket Club.

A MESSAGE FROM NABEAL DIEN

I feel particularly honoured and privileged to welcome the players, administrators and friends from Devon to this very special 10^th tour of Cape Town. It is special because whilst cricket has been the focus it has also been a period of developing unique and special relationships and friendships with a host of players and administrators. Special friends in Alan Swift, (a special friendship which goes far beyond cricket), Gavin Lane, John Smith, Keith Brown , Martin Webb, Jon Mears, Eileen Sothern and many others.

To the boys, you need to be very proud of these people who sacrifice tirelessly to ensure you not only experience different cultures, but also their commitment and dedication to one cause – that you should be given every opportunity and support to improve your game.

Congratulations to all the boys who have been selected to represent the Devon region – consider it an honour bestowed upon you to act as ambassadors for your club and your region – play hard and play to win but be careful never to compromise the spirit of the game and sportsmanship in the process.

We at Western Province Cricket look forward to hosting you on this special anniversary tour and I do hope we will assist in ensuring it is a particularly memorable one.

Nabeal Dien
General Manager WPCA.

Click here to follow the 2011 Tour

Reflections
Captains recall past tours....

'I was lucky enough to captain the first Devon side to visit South Africa in 2002 and I don't have enough superlatives to describe the tour - the most memorable and enjoyable trip of my life.

I know the players selected to go in 2011 will really enjoy and learn a great deal from the experience'.

Nick Watkin (2002)

'The tours I took part in were a fantastic opportunity and experience. We found out a tremendous amount about another culture that, in its own way, is almost as beautiful as that of North Devon. The steaks were out of this world!'.

Mike Wigley (2003)

'The Devon tour to South Africa was not just an outstanding opportunity to develop my cricketing skills against the Western Cape's best teams; trips to Robben Island, the District 6 Museum and the game against the Langa Township XI provided me with the best cross-cultural education possible. The week we spent in the Kruger National Park has also left me with some of the most poignant memories of my life thus far'.

Will Murray (2004)

'The tour was a fantastic experience and a great opportunity for all the team to play against players from contrasting cultures and with a different, very competitive, approach to the game. South Africa is a wonderful country where we experienced much more than just cricket, Cape Town is a spectacular city with Table Mountain providing a dramatic backdrop, while Kruger and it’s magnificent wildlife was an amazing experience'.

Robbie Debenham (2005)

'The tour to South Africa was definitely one of the best experiences of my life. Not only was it thoroughly beneficial in the development of our cricket but it was also fascinating to learn about the history and development of South Africa as a country. It is an experience that the squad still talk about today and I would like to take this opportunity to thank ‘Swifty’ and everyone else who made the tour possible'.

Luke Bess (2006)

'The tour was one the best experiences of my life. We all returned home much richer, both in terms of our development as cricketers and with a more informed understanding and appreciation of the peoples and cultures which combine to generate the ‘Rainbow Nation’ that is modern South Africa'.

Matt Hickey (2007)

'The South Africa Cricket Tour was an incredible experience, one that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Not only did it provided a unique cricketing experience on some breath taking grounds against some highly skilled players, it also enabled us to appreciate the culture of the people and the history of the country. Visiting the townships was a moment that I will cherish for ever, with it comes the realization of how lucky we really are to be on such a tour and such a moment makes you cherish the opportunities you receive in life.

Good Luck to those touring in 2011 - make the most of it!'.

Zak Bess (2008)

'When our plane landed in Johannesburg after a tiring twelve hour flight I think the excitement of what awaited us was what kept most people going throughout the first day....

It was a fantastic experience for all involved and one that will be talked about for many years'.

Harrison Folland (2009)

'It is truly one of the best tours any county youth team could hope for, a superb experience which will only come around once in a life time.

I hope all those touring in 2011 benefit as much as we did'

Michael Cousens (2010)

And looking ahead to 2011

'Since their first year of playing county cricket the players have been looking forward to the possibility of being selected for the ‘big trip’ at under fifteen, I know everyone cannot wait to get on the aeroplane and begin our journey to South Africa. Speaking to a number of past tourists they clearly enjoyed a truly memorable experience, one that they still talk about several years later.

Everyone in the squad is looking forward with great anticipation, not just for the cricket but for the opportunity of meeting people from a very different part of the world. I’m sure we will all benefit enormously from the experience and return with memories likely to stay with us for the rest of our lives.

The players will relish testing their skills in another continent and the challenge of encountering talented and competitive opponents on what are likely to be very different pitches from those in Devon. Who knows, we might come up against some future South African players!'.

Samuel Wyatt-Haines (2011)

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