The Gary Kirsten Cricket (GKC) High Performance Programme got underway in earnest at the Constantia Sports Complex this week.
It is the first time that GKC is running a four-month long programme with cricketers from around the world.
The talented group of semi-pros come from England, Holland, Denmark and Zimbabwe and are aged between 18 and 25.
Ryan Van Niekerk, Coaching Director at GKC says the players have all passed their fitness tests and have begun the programme with great energy.
“They are all very capable cricketers who have the potential to play first-class cricket. They have good attitudes and are raring to go,” Van Niekerk said.
He continued, “Gary Kirsten is heavily involved in the programme. They are training for five hours a day, five days a week so it is intense.”
Over the next four months these players will receive one-on-one coaching in all departments of the game. As well as the chance to work with Sports Scientists to improve their mental and physical capacity.
The programme also seeks to give players an authentic taste of Cape Town and its surrounds.
“It is a chance for them to experience different cultures. There will be many excursions or what I like to call ‘cricket experiences’ like climbing Table Mountain for instance,” Van Niekerk explained.
“They will also be doing community work with the Gary Kirsten Foundation in Khayelitsha every Friday,” he concluded.
