Our blog talked yesterday about the wonderful CWB coaches who are such great ambassadors for cricket in Rwanda. So, today is a chance to hear from two of them: Fredy Ndayisenga and Eric Ndanga, who have been playing cricket together since they were 16 and 15 respectively!
How did you first start playing cricket?
Fredy: I encountered cricket at secondary school and really enjoyed it – one of my friends (who is now my boss) wanted me to learn this new game, rather than playing basketball – and I stayed forever!
Ndanga: I first played in 2009 in my secondary school. One of my coaches was ‘Tall Eric’ [Hirwa], who used to play for the national team and now coaches for CWB – he has coached on this trip. Another coach was Andre Kayitera, who was the opening batsman for Rwanda. They were the first two Rwandans to play in the national men’s team, as before that all the players had been Indian!
What was the best cricketing moment you have had?
Ndanga: In 2013, I played for the Rwanda under-15s, in a game against Mozambique. Fredy was playing too and was the opening bowler. I opened the batting and scored a 50 and it was my first time on the team. It was the greatest feeling!
Fredy: I have two best moments – one on the pitch and one outside the pitch. On the pitch it was when I was representing Rwanda and I bowled all four of the opening Tanzania batsmen out. The best thing was that, before that game, two of them had got consecutive 100s – but I got them out for 20!
Off the pitch, it’s the trip I took to England with Cricket Builds Hope. There was a dinner where I met Eoin Morgan and David Cameron, who used to be prime minister – and Jim Carter, the film actor, was the MC during the auction.
How did you first hear about CWB?
Fredy: CWB came to my school in 2010. I was very excited to that they wanted me to play – and I thought maybe I’d get to play overseas! I also really enjoyed what they were doing because it supports the local community.
Ndanga; CWB was a couple of hours’ opportunity to have fun at school. It is about enjoyment and laughter as well as teamwork and listening and discipline. It was also good motivation for me as a kid to go out of my comfort zone. And they gave us biscuits and a T-shirt!
What is your role at CWB?
Ndanga: Simple! I do regional development for the Rwandan Cricket Association, working with CWB on mobilising youngsters in the eastern province to play cricket and develop their skills. It’s about making sure they are having fun and loving the game – and it’s very inclusive, with team work. We are giving a chance to talented youngsters.
Fredy: I’m a volunteer working with CWB doing coaching. It’s all about trying to get a big number of kids into cricket and changing their lives through cricket.
What are the best things about CWB?
Ndanga: The best thing is that everyone is included: boys and girls, short and tall, big and thin, African and European. The coaches who join us from the UK are really different ages and stages, which shows everyone can play! It’s really good that everyone is equal and everyone gets an opportunity to show what they can do. Cricket is for all – it’s a hobby where everyone can have fun (and we don’t use a hard ball!).
Another good thing is the chance that CWB brings to increase participation in cricket in the districts – the CWB community gives us much bigger ability to coach lots of youngsters.
Also, the messaging is really good about increasing teamwork and on HIV prevention.
Fredy: The best thing is that CWB gives chances to the community to enjoy cricket, to be happy and have fun. They also use the cricket sessions to deliver health messages about how the kids can prevent HIV, without letting them have to find out for themselves how bad it can be.
It’s also helpful because it’s often hard for African kids to find the equipment they need for playing cricket, and CWB offers equipment as a well as the chance to play.
Last word?
Ndanga: We appreciate the skills that the volunteers bring when they come over – in terms of demonstrating, public speaking, or just expressing how much fun it is. And it’s really good that CWB goes outside Kigali to schools that haven’t had cricket before and finding new talent.
Fredy: CWB has been very important to our cricket community, as many of our national players started playing through CWB coaching. It is so helpful for participation – but also for national performance.
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