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The Eastern Province Cricket Academy is currently underway and in a ground breaking move the Academy has this year accepted two female cricketers for the 2013 Academy year. The ladies who are both active provincial and national cricketers will join the previously male only Academy.
Marizanne Kapp has represented the EP Women's, Northern's Women's and both the SA U19 and SA Women's team for a number of seasons. Kapp is a right hand batsman and right arm medium bowler born and raised in Port Elizabeth. Dane van Niekerk was born in Pretoria but joined the EP Provincial Women's team mid season. Dane has represented various teams including Northern's, EP, East Coast and the SA U19 and SA Women's teams.
Both have shown great leadership potential with Marizanne captaining the EP U19 Girl's team and Dane leading the SA U19 Girls team.
Coach Christo Esau "I think it is very exciting to have the girls in the Academy. Having seen them in the nets their skill levels are particularly impressive and I am hoping that the Academy will help them to dominate at international level"
Their inclusion in the EP Academy this year shows the progressive nature of the sport in the Province and will lead the way for many aspiring young female cricketers in a previously male dominated sport.
"I am really excited about the next 6 months. This is a great opportunity for us and an excellent opportunity for women's cricket moving forward" said Kapp
Dane said "I am honoured and privileged to be one of the first ladies to be included and am excited about implementing the skills that we are learning"
The Academy is made up of 16 players who through the next six months will be exposed to not only cricket but various life skills which includes Toastmasters, nutrition, financial wellness and psychology.
