Transnet U19 National Girls Cricket

The above tournament took place from 27 March - 31 March, 2000. Unfortunately, the weather played a major part in upsetting the matches and this resulted in only one and a half days of play. It rained continuously and although the sun appeared on Friday the 31st, the pitch at Avion was too wet for the Exhibition Match, (Transnet U19 National Girls Team vs Eastern Senior Ladies), which was scheduled to take place on 1 April, to be played. This match was therefore cancelled.

The provinces that participated in the tournament are : (Free State and Boland withdrew due to lack of finances)

Platinum: Easterns, Northerns A, Western Province, Gauteng, Eastern Province, Kwa-Zulu Natal

Gold : North West, Northerns B, Northern Province, Border, Griquas, Rosebuds (Easterns B)

The tournament results were established on the net run rate system. With only one and a half days of cricket being played and matches being rained out half way, Northerns won the tournament on the net run rate. Herewith the results :

Player of the Tournament: Sonette Viljoen / North West (won a 52cm colour TV)

Most Promising Player of the Tournament: Maido Ramatong / North West (won a Ghetto Blaster)

Batter of the Tournament: Chrizelda Brits / Northerns (won a "Coffin")

Bowler of the Tournament: Yolandie Bronkhorst / Easterns (won a "Coffin")

Most Courteous Player: Michelle van Niekerk / Northern Province (won the Karen Smithies Shirt)

Rose Spirit Trophy: Gauteng

Platinum Winners: Northerns A (Easterns A Runners Up)

Gold Winners: North West (winning this section promotes them to the Platinum Section)

Roughly 50 girls were selected and transported to the indoor Academy at Centurion where the Selectors chose the Transnet U19 National Girls Team for 1999/2000 over two days. The Team is :

Candice de Jongh (Easterns), Kirsten Blair (Easterns), Yolandie Bronkhorst (Easterns), Carli Venter (Northerns), Chrizelda Brits (Northerns), Robyn Hill (Gauteng), Cherise Edwards (Gauteng), Sonette Viljoen (North West), Marlene Slabbert (North West), Nicole Lundy (Kwa-Zulu Natal), Tammy O'Connell (Western Province), Safika Pillay (Eastern Province).

On Monday evening the 27th March, 2000 the South African Girls Cricket Association was established at the AGM. The following Committee members were elected :

President : Shane Gouldie (Northerns)
Vice President: Charmaine van Zyl (Kwa-Zulu Natal)
Secretary: Hanni van Wyk (Easterns)
Treasurer: Wally Nel (Northerns)
Development Officer: Douglas Sibali (Easterns)

The above Association will fall under the auspices of USSASA as well as Sports and Recreation. Although the SAGCA will also liaise with the South African Women's Cricket Association, they will operate as a separate entity.

The function of the newly elected body will be to promote Girls Cricket in South Africa.

After all the hard work and dedication of the Tournament Committee, it is regrettable and disappointing that the tournament was "rained-out". It was most certainly disappointing for all the players, especially those who travelled great distances to participate in this competition. Despite the unsatisfactory weather, we believe that new friends were made with the interaction of the various provinces. The attitudes and understanding of all concerned was much appreciated.