Chaos randomly creates tensions that can be the catalyst for positive change. The Covid-19 pandemic tipped the world towards a dystopian state where chaos ran supreme. Out of this emerged some WhatsApp chatter amongst the alumni and before you knew it, we had an alumnus working group up and running.
It has been very exciting for myself and Prof. Graaff to bear witness to this exciting journey that has given birth to the Sport Skills for Life Skills Alumni Network. The work ethic and professionalism exhibited by all involved bodes well for the future of this venture.
“Our alumni network is vast and rich in texture. It is filled with untapped potential”
There has been a very clear attempt by the initial working group to be inclusive. There has been broad communication and consultation to ensure everyone has a voice in creating this new venture. Whether you played cricket; scored for a team; acted as a physiotherapist or Bio kineticist; whether you were an intern or a tutor. It is clear the alumni network wants to create an exciting platform for all that has been involved with UWC cricket over the years.
Our alumni network is vast and rich in texture. It is filled with untapped potential. Our Alumni Network has toiled tirelessly to put a strong framework in place that will allow this network to flourish. The new executive has been meticulous in their fortnightly planning sessions to give life to your vision. With a focus on quality rather than quantity.
Mirroring the Sport Skills for Life Skills Programme, our Alumni Network not only looks inward to assist all its members, but also outward to those less fortunate in our communities. So, it was no surprise that the Alumni Network’s very first engagement was with The Umtshayelo Foundation in Brackenfell. Lloyd Flanagan, Nkululeko Serame and Zubayr Hamza all gave excellent presentations to those present.
Whenever I travel both domestically or overseas, it is always a priority of mine to try and catch up with whoever is in town. Whether it be Tinashe Ruswa in Johannesburg or Faizel Simon in Abu Dhabi; let us not forget about Liam Harris in Dublin and Brandon Conradie in London; Craig Williams in London or Siya Sowati in Bristol. The boys and ladies are scattered all over the globe. I even had the privilege to accompany Victor Chaitezvi to the LBW Dinner in Sydney, Australia where he and Mahela Jayawardene were the main speakers. This Alumni Network truly has a global footprint and is recognised as such.
However, what I am most looking forward to is seeing everyone again. It will be so awesome to see some familiar faces in unfamiliar bodies. Hopefully a social match or two will form part of the calendar. Then we can park one last time, Gary Fourie’s light blue pulsar next to the field. Lift the hatch back up, put the two supporting pieces of wood in on either side of the boot, so as to allow the reggae beats of Bob Marley to escape the boot and filter onto the field. “I can already hear the boys in the huddle going … Two, three, irie!”
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