20TH CL SOUTH AFRICAN EXCHANGE PROGRAMME - 2023

January has seen five more Cricket Leinster youth players becoming Transition Year (TY) exchange programme students in South Africa.

Since 2002, over 80 Cricket Leinster players have participated in the CL South African Exchange Programme with Barry McCarthy, Andrew Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker, Fionn Hand, and George Dockrell some of the headline graduates. However, and in keeping with the recent 2019 National Academy squad announcements, it is apt to highlight the highly rated Harry Tector (St Stithians 2016), JJ Garth (St Stithians 2017), Gavin Hoey (St Stithians 2018), Mikey O’Reilly (2019), Tim Tector (St Stithians 2020), David Delany (Muir College 2014, 2022), Neil Rock (Glenwood 2017) and acknowledge the impact of the Programme has had on them as cricketers, something of great pride to all TY partners.

The CL South African Exchange Programme is special not just for the opportunity to spend nine weeks in a famous sporting culture, but for those selected, traditionally in their TY academically, they are fully emersed in the South African school, family and culture.

Cricket Leinster is quick to acknowledge the support of the host coaches, teachers, and families who ensure the players are made to feel welcome, and experience only a deep disappointment the visit is over too soon.

Before departure former TY graduate, Lorcan Tucker provided some of his Irish training clothing to the players to provide as a gift to those looking after them in South Africa on arrival.  It is something we would like to acknowledge, it was a very kind gesture from Lorcan, much appreciated in helping these young players.

Without the generosity of all the staff at Muir College, Glenwood High School Durban, St Stithians Johannesburg over many years, this CL South African Exchange Programme could not be sustained over so many years.

In recent years, we have been delighted to arrange for young South African students to come on a reverse exchange to spend short periods of our summer in Leinster. Cricket Leinster thanks all those who have supported this exchange as host families, host clubs and for all those who have ensured the young visiting students experience the Irish way of life.

Players currently in South Africa include:

St Stithians College:

Olly Riley (Gonzaga College & YMCA CC)

Reuben Wilson (King’s Hospital & YMCA CC)

Muir College:

Conal Woods (Sutton Park School & Clontarf CC)

Senan Reid (Belvedere College & Clontarf CC)

Glenwood High School:

Sebastian Dijkstra (St Columba’s College & Merrion CC)