Googly wrote: ↑Wed Sep 29, 2021 3:30 pm
Many of these so called school facilities are now just barren ground and the only thing they have going for them is that they're flat and there are some broken buildings nearby and there's 2000 pupils, a tiny portion of whom may have heard about cricket. I wonder what happens to a clay square after years of neglect? I'm not talking the grass cover, but the actual clay itself?
One of the major problems is a massive water shortage, particularly in Harare. In the unlikely event they have decent boreholes, they won't have the pumps and pipes, that's before you even consider groundstaff with any knowledge of pitch and outfield resurrection and maintenance. Now you're talking about tractors and mowers, a bit of fertiliser etc. It's not a whole heap of money, but it's money nonetheless. Much of the upkeep of grounds, even at Private schools falls partly on the shoulders of willing and able parents. This is just non existent in government schools (possible exception of PE), and whatever PTA they may have will focus on educational hurdles.
You're not going to get the schools to spend money on cricket, they're short of funds as it is, there's not more than half a dozen parents with the remotest interest or ability to assist and it would all have to come from ZC. Do I need to explain how this ends? Well it won't really even start, will it.
Talk of grass roots cricket and concrete nets erected in the middle of nowhere will continue ad nauseum.
An interesting situation arose some years ago at Eaglesvale, formerly Bothasoff (some serious cricketers came through there!!!)- the school was staggering along keeping its head above water, but it owned valuable land. A wild guess what transpired?? The school board was usurped, the land taken and the school was left in disarray.
I could tell you who got the land, but ...
Can't argue with any of the above really. But restoring those facilities should be the ambition. And I'm not saying overnight, I'm talking many years long-term. You're right, start with the five or six schools who have a realistic chance. When they are up and running and strong, then move on to the other schools with grounds. There's a huge amount of former cricket pitches still standing at schools despite the relevant point you make about land.
There should be a real long-term strategy to roll cricket back out to schools.
I know it's very far-fetched considering all the things you mention. But there's more chance of resurrecting cricket in schools with heritage and (admittedly old and abandoned and difficult) facilities than there is of introducing cricket in random villages with concrete nets and a bag of 30-year-old pads and bats.
For all the reasons we have both listed numerous times though, unfortunately it's unlikely to ever really happen.
But if I was ZC thats what I'd be doing above anything. I think our cricket system has regressed so much that we need to start again, at the bottom. I'd rather invest money right now in schools than in the first class structure tbh.
I actually see more of this happening. Land in general, but strategic urban land is highly sought after. There is zero security of tenure here, absolutely zero. Many sports clubs are facing problems from unscrupulous people and this will extend to strategically placed schools, mark my words. It's a matter of time before a school decides- well we dont really use the top field or the bottom field and we could use a new science lab and maybe pocket the difference and Bob's your Aunty!
This has happened at several clubs as you mention. OH recently had some hawks circling with such intentions. Gweru SC had battles with local developers and 'politicians' for many years hence being almost abandoned. Recently resolved and had their land secured and all of a sudden the club is alive and people care again.
There's still a lot of old pitches - school and otherwise - hanging around though waiting to be used.
