First time volunteer Robbie on another scorcher in Maun.
It’s 8.30am on Sunday and only 20 feet separate the CWB Botswana team from two lioness’s and their 8 cubs. What a day was in store for us at the Okavango Delta. Owen and MD our drivers treated us to a full day safari that included Zebra, Kudu, Antelope, Lions, Warthogs and the highlight of my day 20 plus Elephants frolicking in a muddy bog to get some well deserved rest from the 40 degree heat.
I’m sure all the members of the team would agree, we could have spent days out in the wilderness on the hunt for even more exotic animals but we have a job to do here, and the school children of Maun aren’t going to coach themselves.
Monday began with Clem (our Botswana cricket representative) taking our enjoyment of the safari a little too literally. Instead of using the road designated for driving, we parked up on the bank of a river and had to wade in waist high crocodile infested water (I exaggerate) to get to our first coach education session of the Maun leg of the trip, but there is nothing this team won’t do to provide cricket where it’s wanted.
The first day of a new location is always tough and we didn’t get as many teachers to the session that we would want but as Lee reminded us this isn’t always a numbers game and quality not quantity was the order of the day.
By the end of the coach education session all of those involved could bowl with a legal action and we were even getting them to try bowling with a run up, I call that a successful morning. With Clem and his helpers working tirelessly to encourage more schools to provide teachers I’m filled with hope for the rest of the weeks coach education.
As 2pm roles around Andy, Jo, Brian and I are trying to decide what is hotter our Piri Piri burgers or this scorching Maun heat. The next two hours of cricket coaching could be the biggest test of our stamina so far.
The team split up and half went to Bonatla Primary and the other half went to Mathlola I was coaching with the first team and we were delighted to see four of our coach education teachers had been posted to the school by one of the eduction officials to test out their newly acquired coaching skills.
I thought it only fair to provide them with a perfect example of how to run a relay warm up, but 15 minutes in the heat was getting the better of me and with what looked reminiscent of a 5 aside league back in England, roll on roll of subs were called for.
Fortunately up stepped Greg and Brian to close the opening part of our session. As any experienced cricketer will tell you, sweets in the pocket are essential for a long day in the field so after a couple of Jelly babies I was back in the game for the big finale between Team Abstain and Team Condom.
Rapid fire is a favourite over here and it’s gets loads of players involved. Each player gets the opportunity to hit three drives and team work is needed in the field. Team Abstain set a total of 59 and the competitive juices were well and truly flowing heading into the change over.
With scoring that resembled something similar to my dads village cricket on a Saturday unsurprisingly the scores were tied at the end of the game. Winners all round!
Seeing these children enjoy every second of cricket we can give them really gives you a boost as a coach and it has to be one of the over riding sensations I’ll take away from this trip.
Surrey CC use ice baths, CWB Botswana use the hotel pool to relive the body of its unwanted lactic acid build up. Pool volleyball is about to begin. Teams chosen, excel spread sheet league table ready and all is to play for. Anthony and Ben played some inspired volleyball to go undefeated after two games despite Anthony being unable to swim. However up stepped team Ponytail (myself and Hannah) to knock them off their perch, though as any good sky sports commentator will tell you it is a game of two half and there is plenty more to play for over the coming days.
Despite a slightly unsuccessful day in terms of numbers of pupils and schools moral is high within the camp and each of us are loving every second. Personally the trip has opened my eyes to many things and being able to use sport as a vehicle to enrich the lives of children and help protect them against HIV and AIDS is something I won’t forget.
Ke a leboga
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