Ewing and Coventry to Head up Streaks Academy
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:38 am
McDonald Club to house Streak academy
September 17, 2013 silence muchemwa Sport
Lovemore Dube Sports Editor
THE Heath Streak Cricket Academy has found a home at Bulawayo’s MacDonald Sports Club. A deal was sealed last week for the academy which is part of the Heath Streak Consultancy and Sports Foundation and signed yesterday. Confirming the deal yesterday, the foundation’s chief executive officer, Joseph Rego said he was excited about the development and said Gavin Ewing was appointed head of the academy.
He said the academy was meant to provide young players with improved facilities.
Rego said Charles Coventry is expected to join the academy full time after his three-month stint with a club in Dubai.
He said the academy signed a 30-year lease with the club which could be extended by another 10 years.
“The lease is expected to be registered with the Bulawayo City Council. The academy which is being spearheaded by Heath Streak has found an investing partner in a prominent Bulawayo-based business tycoon whose name is being kept under wraps for the moment as per his instructions said,” Rego.
He said the academy will start functioning mid next month as it is undergoing a facelift.
Rego said Streak’s vision and dream has always been to establish a world class sports facility in Bulawayo that identifies and nurtures talent.
“My love for Zimbabwe and the close rapport I enjoy with Heath has motivated me to assist him to establish a sporting facility for the children of this country and I believe that our dream will bear positive fruits that will make cricket the pride of Zimbabwe when the academy starts churning out top class players,” said Rego an Indian native.
Cricketers and their penchant for philanthropy is well known.
Ian Terence Botham who captivated the world’s imagination with his “Hannibal Walk” in 1988 raising funds for Leukemia Research is among some big name players to establish foundations in a list that has legends like former Australian captain Steve Waugh and former New Zealand skipper Chris Cairns.
“We remain committed to seeing that Zimbabwe raises players who will be able to stand the heat of international cricket.
“The academy will not restrict itself only to cricket but will support other sports too. We believe there is so much talent out there in the Western Suburbs,” said Rego.
Zimbabwe international cricketer Chris Mpofu comes from Magwegwe and there are several players to emerge from the less-privileged environs in the country.
In readiness for the first intake next month, a high pressure Grundfos Stainless Steel Submersible Pump with a capacity to pump 8000 -10 000 litres of water per hour, modernied irrigation system using HDPE Pipe, 50 mm, Class 6 and high pressure sprinklers sponsored by Bonsa Spar and Tregers have been installed on the site.
Udine Products through general manager Crispen Mugova are erecting a perimeter wall with Elias Mashaba’s Shield Security providing security services and Haggie Rand Zimbabwe’s managing director Chemist Gomba has donated the entire net practice area.
Rego said several Bulawayo companies like Innscor and Delta Beverages had come on board.
Ewing in his capacity as head coach will appoint a panel of qualified professional coaches to assist him.
Samkelisiwe Phiri Nkiwane who is chief operating officer of Tuskers Cricket Franchisee and the manager of the Tuskers Zimbabwe Women’s Cricket Team has been appointed chief administrator of the academy.
“Our vision and dream is to ensure that the city of Bulawayo soon witnesses a world class sports academy that provides the children of our society a better tomorrow,” is the vision of the academy.
'Plumtree-born' but never went to school there (Olonga and Duffin only two who 'made it' in cricket from Plumtree School). Pommie neither ... don't know either of their stories too well but I think Pommie ended up at Milton
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