Kemach JCB, official compaction equipment supplier to Cricket South Africa (CSA), was asked to present the Kemach JCB Groundsman of the Year Award during the recent 2018 CSA Awards Breakfast.

In addition to paying tribute to both the emerging and established stars from the amateur ranks, the CSA Awards Breakfast, hosted in association with KFC on 2nd June at the Inanda Country Club in Sandon, Gauteng, also gave recognition to the selfless work of administrators and coaches.

It was a proud moment for Kemach JCB when National Support and Marketing Manager, Mark Senyard, handed over the trophy to Kemach JCB Groundsman of the year, Evan Flint from PPC Newlands, Western Cape. The objective of the Kemach JCB Groundsman of the Year Award is not only to identify and acknowledge excellent groundsmen but also to keep the standards of CSA’s cricket grounds high.

A mathematical system known as POPS (Pitch and Outfield Performance System) is applied that is based on runs and wickets per over and works on an 80% pitch and 20% outfield principle. The award takes into account all CSA affiliate matches (excluding the warm-ups) and points are awarded after each match by umpires and match referees.

“To ensure that cricket is truly a national sport that includes all South Africans, it is essential that the best talent from all areas, including underprivileged communities, rise to top level cricket,” says Senyard.  “Inferior quality matches do not provide opportunities for young players with great potential to shine. The quality of a cricket match is to a large extent determined by the condition of the grounds so ground preparation is therefore extremely important. Unfortunately, facilities in underprivileged areas simply do not have the funds to purchase the necessary equipment for ground upkeep and maintenance.”

In November 2017 Kemach JCB entered into a three-year supplier agreement with CSA which is helping to boost the objective of CSA’s Hubs/RPC programme ‘to enhance and develop an effective cricket pathway structure in previously disadvantaged areas’.  As official compaction equipment supplier, Kemach JCB is providing ten rollers (eight Tandem Drum rollers and two Walk Behind rollers) to five CSA Hubs and five RPCs and Senyard confirms that roll out is already in full swing.

“JCB rollers are being put through their paces at respective CSA hubs and RPCs around the country, helping with the preparation of grounds to develop and uplift the quality of the players and the game at grass roots level.”

The four larger Tandem Drum rollers have been earmarked for top venues hosting high profile matches while the smaller Tandem Drum roller will be used at a venue hosting friendship, top school and premier league matches. The remaining five Walk Behind rollers have been allocated to venues where premier league and national week are hosted as well as venues that are CSA focus schools as well as where top school league matches are played. 

These carefully selected hubs (Mamelodi, Prestige focus school, Mdantsane, Dan Qeqe, and Khayelitsha) and RPCs (Dobsonville - Bramfischer Oval, Fort Hare University (Alice), Chartsworth, Bridgton and Yorkshire) are strategic to CSA and play a pivotal role in producing quality cricketers from the townships.

“The CSA Awards Breakfast was preceded by a fun-filled, above par golf day on 1st June and it was a privilege for Kemach JCB to sponsor the first hole,” concludes Senyard.