T20 Cricket Festival – Paarl Boys High keen to connect with the local community

WITH the Diamantveld T20 Cricket Festival about to kick off, Paarl Boys High cricket coach Corné van Aswegen spoke to the DFA and expressed strong confidence in his team’s preparedness.

“I’m really confident in the team’s readiness for the festival.” van Aswegen said. “We’ve implemented several key strategies during our training that have significantly enhanced our performance.”

“Through team-building activities, we’ve strengthened communication and collaboration among players. Focused practice sessions have been tailored to our festival goals, sharpening specific skills.

“Regular feedback sessions have allowed us to continuously refine our strategies, and practice runs that simulate festival conditions have helped the team acclimatise to the environment,” the coach told the DFA.

Looking ahead, van Aswegen outlined the team’s main goals for the tournament, saying that the team aims to excel and progress through the tournament stages.

To help players adjust to the new environment of such a high calibre tournament, he said the team plans to arrive early to allow players to adjust to local conditions like weather and pitch behaviour, conduct practice sessions at the tournament venue and use mindfulness techniques to manage stress and adapt mentally.

He also said that the team is keen to connect with the local community to enhance players’ overall experience.

Van Aswegen emphasised the significance of the tournament for the school and cricket in general:

“A tournament of this calibre is incredibly important for us. It provides exposure and recognition, helps develop young talent, boosts school spirit, and encourages participation in cricket.

“Additionally, it offers networking opportunities and builds lifelong skills such as teamwork and resilience.”

Overall, according to the coach, the festival presents a valuable opportunity for growth and recognition, strengthening the cricket culture at Paarl Boys High.