A highlight for us & the Kearsney 1stXI was a live session with Gary Kirsten, where players discussed the mental aspects of the game and gained strategic insights into T20 cricket, focusing on risk management and performance under challenging conditions. Alongside player sessions, the Mini Camps supported coach development through practical and theoretical frameworks covering leadership, player management, and season planning. At Union High, a Parents in Sport talk emphasized the importance of positive parent involvement in youth sports.

At Union High, Gary’s parenting in sport talk was well received. Gary and Jordan facilitated a coach development workshop covering:

Effective team meetings
Player management and leadership by example
Performance debriefs
Supporting players’ mental development
Designing quality training sessions
Season planning and management
The goal is to give coaches practical frameworks and confidence to enhance their environments.

At Kearsney and Highbury, players embraced the opportunity to learn and grow in a “High-Performance” environment.

Looking ahead to 2026, Mini Camps will continue to connect with schools across South Africa, fostering a culture of performance and learning. The GKC team remains dedicated to facilitating the growth of coaches and players nationwide, collaborating with schools in tailored programs to strengthen cricketing cultures and equip the next generation with the tools to thrive.

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Over recent months, these dedicated coaches completed a series of workshops covering the fundamentals of cricket coaching, leadership and the mental aspects of working with young players. Those who earned their CoachED Level 1 Coaching Certificate were among men & women, emphasizing our commitment to gender inclusivity & equal opportunity in sport.

Alongside this journey included the Gary Kirsten CATCH Trust High Performance Program; an eight-week experience focused on developing boys and girls who are working to break into professional cricket structures. During this time, the senior coaches from the Catch Trust Academy spent valuable hands – on time alongside our GKC team, within a high-performance environment. “An incredibly rewarding experience” – added Gary.

Gary Kirsten, in his role as CATCH Trust Board Member and Co-founder of CoachED Cricket, shared a few words of encouragement.

“Congratulations on completing the course. It is a detailed program, so well done. I am really impressed with the commitment shown, and I hope the skills you have gained will make a meaningful impact as you mentor the next generation of cricketers.”

Looking ahead, we feel grateful to be part of this ongoing journey. We remain committed to helping create environments where coaches and players can learn, grow and belong.

We look forward to welcoming the next group of aspiring coaches and sharing more stories from the field as this important work continues.

Often, we have players come and train with us before they head off to their various tournaments. This week was no different, with Dave Miller training alongside our Catch Trust High Performance players.

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Derek, who started as a Senior coach with GKC in 2015 knows the Western Province setup well. Last season, he captained the Western province senior provincial side and his great skill with both bat and ball in hand has seen him establish himself as an outstanding performer for Western Province Cricket Club in the Premier league over the past few seasons.

This year marks a pivot in his coaching career as he has taken up a full time post teaching at his alma mater, Rondebosch Boys High School. After coaching the U14A and 2^nd XI teams in the past 2 seasons as well as at the GKC High Performance Academy he is well equipped for this new opportunity to coach in the provincial ranks. “Being involved with the GKC has been extremely valuable for me in my development as a coach”, Mitchell says.

He continues, “I am honoured to have an opportunity to coach at Western Province and have the privilege to work with a talented group of players to prepare them for the provincial tour in December.” Derek’s coaching philosophy is to “develop and grow the individuals that I work with and be a role model and mentor to those in the team”. Over the past 3 years with GKC, he has shown his ability and work ethic in abundance and his positive influence is evident in the bonds he has formed with all the players he has worked with and continues to do so.

Kholekile’s coaching journey started in 2009 and has been on an upward trajectory. With playing credentials at a provincial level as well as his enthusiasm and energy one can see why he has such a profound effect on the young players he deals with both at the GKC and The Gary Kirsten Foundation. Having had experience in the game of cricket, Kholi, as he is affectionately known, explored a path in conditioning gaining a diploma from the Health and Fitness Professional Association and still hones his skills performing specialist group and personal training. This unique set of skills saw him join the GKC High Performance Academy in a role in which he doubled up as a senior coach and Head of conditioning for the program in 2017.

With this background, he has been appointed as Bowling Coach and Head of Strength and Conditioning for the Western Province Khaya Majola Coca Cola Week Team under Head coach Paul Adams. “My role will be working with the seamers on all aspects of their game as well as developing training programs focusing on the biomechanics and fundamentals of movement with all the members of the squad.” He adds, “I am looking to grow and challenge myself as well as the players, my aim is to equip the players with the skills they need to perform and this will add to the tools I have as a coach”.

With a coaching philosophy which seeks to “create an environment which adds value to the players both on and off the field”, Kholi sees cricket as a vessel for life lessons to be learnt and implemented. Anyone who has worked with him can testify to his approachable nature and ability to extract potential through high quality relationships with the players he works with.

Congratulations to these inspirational coaches who continue to pioneer coaching in their authentic way. GKC wishes them all the best on this journey of continued growth and development.

For private and group sessions with Derek, Kholi and any of the quality coaches at the GKC, see https://garykirsten.com/private-coaching/

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Go Gary! We are behind you all the way! Good luck for the 2018 Absa Cape Epic.

Look out for the Gary Kirsten Foundation cycle team in this year’s ABSA Cape Epic as well.

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With much excitement the kids learned a few things, and loved seeing Gary give it a go too.

Bongile Mfunelwa (12) from Impendulo Primary School in Khayelitsha (who recently made the Western Province u/13 A team) won the R250 Adidas voucher with a score of 21 runs off 6 balls.

Unlike a bowling machine, the GKC Batfast cricket simulator allows you to experience the real experience of being an International Batsman! The precise technology times the ball release exactly in-sync with the bowling actions of the cricketers you are facing on the screen. It includes live scoring, instant replay, commentary and coaching.

For more information please contact info@garykirsten.com

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The awards which aim to celebrate the best work off the field in the business of sport and showcase everything that is great about the South African sport industry made contact with the GKF to submit an entry.

The foundation which was formed just four years ago has made tremendous strides in the development of the game in township communities of Khayelitsha in the Western Cape.

“We are very excited to be nominated for this prestigious award. It is an honour,” Gary Kirsten beamed.

“We are hoping that it will showcase the work that the GK Foundation is doing,” he added.

Over the years the GKF has worked on various projects from net installations, coach development for our township cricket development initiative and planning South Africa’s first complete artificial cricket field.

“Our coaches have put in an enormous amount of work on the ground. We believe that we can make a positive and long lasting impact in township communities,” Kirsten concluded.

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adidas has been the official footwear supplier to GKC since 2013 and their latest agreement will see the GKC coaches continue to sport their dynamic products.

Gary Kirsten has been backed by Adidas SA for many years now and according to Howard Khan their Sports Marketing manager an extension of the deal was a ‘no-brainer’.

“We’ve enjoyed building this relationship with Gary, watching him develop more as a coach and the success of GKC in a very short time period, this has been down to his vision and his continued push for excellence,” Khan said.

In addition to their footwear sponsor, adidas has also backed the GK Foundation with cricket equipment over the years.

“We believe in Gary Kirsten Cricket as it allows us to keep an eye on the next generation of cricketing stars and our involvement with the GK Foundation also allows us to do our part for the township communities and for those in need” Khan said.

He continued, “At the same time, it’s not just about enriching players’ lives, but also those of the coaches in the programme and it’s been great to see Gary pass on his knowledge and experience to the next generation.”

The GK Foundation helps to grow the game in townships like Khayelitsha in the Western Cape.

“adidas is proud of its association with the Gary Kirsten Foundation. Not only is Gary a highly regarded cricketing authority – both locally and abroad – but his GK Foundation has touched the lives of so many in need and continues to rekindle the love for the game of cricket in township communities,” Khan concluded.

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When approached for a comment about how he feels after the grueling month of triathlons, Matt said, “I feel a lot fitter but my legs are very heavy, although I am sure that it is nothing that a few days of rest won’t fix. I’m excited to get out to South Africa and see the great work that is being done through the Gary Kirsten Foundation!”

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