Northern Cape Cricket set to unleash NC Heat Women’s XI

Neville Motlhabakwe|Published 2 years ago

Wannie Engelbrecht (left), NCC Cricket Services director, with Dr Laverene Accom who spoke on gender-based violence at the NC Heat Women’s rebranding function at the Country Club in Cassandra. Picture : Neville Motlhabakwe

NORTHERN Cape Cricket (NCC) have rebranded and renamed the provincial women’s cricket squad the Northern Cape Heat Women’s XI.

The provincial cricket body introduced the full squad at a dinner event held on Friday night at the Diamond Oval’s Country Club in Cassandra.

The women’s team used the occasion to nail their colours to the mast regarding the current scourge of gender based violence. NCC board member Dr Laverene Accom spoke at length on the subject and encouraged especially males to become exponents of anti gender based violence.

The NCC also used the occasion to crow about how they successfully brought on board, for the first time ever in women's sports and cricket in the province, sports betting management company Hollywoodbets as underwriters of the team.

The Hollywoodbets sponsorship announcement was timed to motivate the female provincial squad ahead of a crucial women’s league fixture against the Mpumalanga Cricket XI at the Diamond Oval on Saturday (tomorrow). This was the NC Heat women’s third match of six in the first tier women’s league.

Speaking at the event NCC Cricket Services Manager and women’s first team manager Shaheed Alexander said the narrative about women’s cricket must now also change. The women’s Heat team must be given more exposure and be treated the same as the men’s team,” Alexander said.

Alexander amongst others, said the provincial cricket organisation has a plan to involve, especially, girl children in cricket activities. “We must introduce girls to the modified games of mini cricket. Primary and high school girls must be encouraged to partake in league fixtures and monitored to completion.”

Alexander added that the team’s plan was at an advanced stage with two girls who are finishing high school this year already poised to sign on for the women’s franchise for the 2023 season.

He could not resist blowing the horn on the team’s exploits on the field three weeks ago.

The NC Heat Women XI made their mark in the game by getting one over the Mpumalanga XI by beating them in the 50 over and T20 formats. The team apparently plans on making their way through to the play-offs at the end of the season. The aim is to eventually gain a place in the Top Six of the National Women’s League.

“Gaining promotion to Top Six National Women’s League means more funding for the province, hence there are six to seven contracts available which must serve as motivation and incentive for our ladies team to do well this season,” Alexander said.

Alexander thanked the team sponsors Mercedes Benz and Hollywoodbets.

Wannie Engelbrecht, NCC Cricket Services director (left), with Dr Laverene Accom who spoke on gender based violence at the NC Heat Ladies rebranding function at the Country Club in Cassandra. Picture : Neville Motlhabakwe.