The 2017/18 Gary Kirsten Cricket High Performance Academy (HPA) gets underway on 1 November with players from around the world set to join the four-month long programme.
Aspiring professionals from Zimbabwe, Netherlands and England will link up with locally based players for a unique experience to be staged in Cape Town.
Now in its third year the HPA boasts a stringent schedule and will see players train for six hours a day and play club cricket at Premier League level on weekends.
It has been specifically designed by Gary Kirsten himself along with a group of dedicated coaches to assist cricketers to achieve their dream of playing first class cricket.
“It is a programme which is growing from strength to strength and this year we are delighted to welcome a great bunch of players,” GKC Coaching Director, Ryan Van Niekerk said.
The HPA is multifaceted in its approach and will give players a chance to develop steadily through the weeks.
“Players will get every chance to enhance and improve their skills as well as share their experiences with fellow cricketers both through intense practices and competitive matches,” Van Niekerk said.
The first week will see the athletes put through a number of tests to ascertain their current physical and mental states.
“Each player’s physical condition will be assessed, followed up by an individualised training programme. They will also have regular interventions with a qualified mental conditioning practitioner.”
“A personal development plan which includes best practice in leadership across sporting codes is also a hallmark of the programme.”
Developing life skills is a major part of the HPA and players will get the opportunity to experience the Mother City in all its splendor.
“In addition to excursions around the city, we will also get the players involved in the GKC Foundation Township coaching programmes,” Van Niekerk said.
