KEIRA SCHOEMAN breaking the gender boundaries at a junior tournament
Move over Kagiso Rabada, here comes young Keira Schoeman, bowling and taking wickets like candy. Rabada, the only African bowler in the World Top 10, has finally been challenged. Rabada, the South African Proteas’ fast bowler, holds the South African (Proteas) hopes in his hand, with the 2019 world cup in England fast approaching. The Schoeman-Rabada comparison may be over the top but that is how
talented a bowler Schoeman is, taking wickets at will.
The recently held U/12 Blasting Birds Tournament was not only a platform for the development of young talent but also a landmark event for the Namibian girl-child: Keira Schoeman.
In all fairness, the tournament had many young developing talents such as the likes of Dynamite Ducks’ captain Stephan du Plessis, Blazing Blackbirds’ fast bowler Fillipus Frans, not to mention Dynamite Ducks all-rounder Dan Brassel. All eyes were on the young cricket player Schoeman’s bowling skills and not because she was the only girl taking part in the tournament.
“I love bowling. I am not that bad at batting either,” said Schoeman with a smile.
My colleagues and I were tasked with the responsibility of photo shooting all the 72 players to create a team memorabilia portrait. This being the task at hand, for hours we took snapshots, fixing and rearranging the players for a perfect shot. It might sound easy, but try that with a bunch of energized under 12s. However, with Keira
Schoeman, the shot seems not to come together, try left, right, a smile: still not a perfect shot.”
“Maybe it’s my hair, let me loosen it out,” says Schoeman with a smile.
What do you know? It’s a girl and we needed a perfect shot when we realised we had a girl in the tournament. No preferential treatment befell her but, just like all the other players, she carried herself well and got on with the tournament.
Schoeman is a grade four learner at St Paul’s College in Windhoek. The ten-year-old, who has been playing cricket since the 2nd grade, was drawn to cricket for its stimulating and challenging nature.
“Cricket is where my dreams and ambitions meet. I chose to play cricket because it is not that easy, and I like challenging myself,” she said.
Her ability is rooted in confidence and her bowling skills have been honed over the year since she started playing cricket at the age of eight.
According to Schoeman, although it can be hard when she gets weird looks for being the only girl on the boys’ team, her focus is on the game.
“I feel good when I play cricket, even if I am the only girl on the team. I am not yet the best at the game as I wish to be, but I want to show people what I can do,”she shared.
“I like bowling and focus on the game because it is fun,” she said.
The young cricket player said the highlight of the game was when she took wickets.
At the U\12 APS XCo Blasting Birds tournament in Windhoek, Keira took three wickets, which contributed significantly to her team’s victory. The Dynamite Ducks were crowned champions of the tournament on May 12.
Apart from her love of cricket, she also actively participates in trampolining.
Furthermore, besides her interest in sports, she has an immense interest in science subjects. “I like science. I am not in a higher grade yet so science is not that hard,”she added.
She is also a Pink and Sia music fanatic and loves food like burgers and spaghetti.
“My parents help me during games and support
me a lot,” she said with a warm smile.
Charlene Schoeman is a proud mother. “I am very proud of her because she was not afraid to enter the tournament because she was the only girl. I was proud of her for showing the nation that it is not about gender,” she said.
She draws her inspiration from the renowned Cricket player JJ Smit.
Johannes Jonathan “JJ” Smit is a Namibian cricketer who made his senior debut for the Namibian national side in February 2012, aged 16.
A left-arm fast bowler from Keetmanshoop , Smit made his debut for the Namibian under-19 side during the 2011–12 season.
“I know him personally, and I learn a lot from him,”she giggled.
Meanwhile, she said her future goal is to improve her batting skills and to participate in international competitions.
Inclusivity in sports
The tournament themed “Cricket with Character,” is one of the key activities under the young talent development program of APS Cricket.
Robert de Villiers, managing director of APS, said that the aim is to develop young talent on the African continent – to keep children off the streets and away from bad peer pressure.
Cricket coaches like Malan Kruger said that the initiative is vital in the uplifting of young talent in a holistic manner, including character development, regardless of gender.
According to de Villiers, breaking down this gender barrier could foster the aspect of inclusivity in sports, as well as the professionalization of cricket in Namibia – a dream for Keira.
“We call on more girls to participate in national tournaments in order to develop skills,” he said.
Schoeman, as she anticipates more cricket games to improve her batting skills, is preparing extensively for a trampolining competition which will take place at the coast later this month.
“Although I like science subjects, I just want to pursue a career in sport, and be a cricket player,” said Schoeman. Young Schoeman advises other girls to embrace sport for self-development. “Just enjoy it, do your best, have fun and believe in yourself,”she concluded as she ran off to play cricket.
