Lahwien Alben: grounded in faith, driven by dreams

Born in Colville, Kimberley, Lahwien Alben’s cricket journey began in the streets where she was often the only girl playing among the boys.

Her early passion for the game grew when her friends, who played for RC Rose Hub, shared what they had learned after training sessions. Out of curiosity, Lahwien once accompanied them to practice, and soon after, coaches visited her primary school. With the encouragement of her teacher, Ms. Feris, she picked up a bat and ball, marking the start of her cricket career.

Two milestones stand out: her first century for Sol Plaatje University and her first half-century for the NC Heat Ladies, both confirming her growth and determination and still driving her forward.

But how does she get herself focused, some may wonder. Before each match, Lahwien grounds herself by singing worship music, particularly the hymn “In God is our trust, He has blest us, we praise His name”. It brings her peace and focus, reminding her to aim for small improvements each day.

And she's hoping the small improvements can one day bring large rewards. The young cricketer dreams of the bigger stage – international cricket. One dream venue stands above the rest for Lahwien: Lords Cricket Ground in London, a hallowed field she hopes to step onto one day.

Balancing academics and cricket has been a rollercoaster of late nights, discipline, and sacrifice — struggles that have shaped her resilience. She believes in consistency over perfection and lives by the principle of Kaizen, a Japanese principle which simply means that she aims at getting 1% better every day.

Describing herself as determined, driven, and humble, Lahwien sees herself as someone who simply loves the game. Every time she walks onto the field, she does so with gratitude, passion, and the belief that the journey is always worth it.