THE Raymond van Schoor Cricket Foundation (RVSCF) was launched over the weekend with the aim of assisting young cricketers to reach their dreams and excel at the highest level.
Raymond van Schoor, who passed away in November last year after suffering a stroke in a match against the Free State, was one of Namibia’s most outstanding cricketers and still holds numerous national and international records.
He is Namibia’s most capped player and their third highest run scorer in all formats of the game. His opening wicket partnership of 357 runs with Ewald Steenkamp against Bermuda in 2010 is still the highest opening partnership in Intercontinental Cup history.
The foundation was initiated by Raymond’s former girlfriend Zandre La Cock, Cricket Namibia president Richard Frankle and national player Sarel Burger, who are the trustees of the foundation.
At Saturday’s launch, La Cock said the foundation’s vision was to inspire young Namibian cricketers achieve their dreams and live out their passion.
“The foundation’s vision is to ensure all young, talented cricketers have a chance in cricket by developing opportunities for them; to make a difference in the lives of talented cricketers by assisting them with the necessary finances and support; to support young cricketers to achieve their best in their cricket careers; and to celebrate cricket, create history, enhance entertainment, share the experience and leave a legacy,” she said.
Richard Frankle thanked the deputy minister of sport, Agnes Tjongarero who also attended the launch.
“I’d like to thank the deputy minister for being here. You are a friend of cricket, thank you for making time to be here. I believe this cricket foundation will be close to your heart. The aim is to create opportunities for the youth who want to follow their dreams but don’t have the finances – this foundation will now give them that chance,” he said.
“I’m extremely excited about the launch of the Raymond van Schoor Cricket Foundation … we will give opportunities and hopes to as many girls and boys as possible to participate in the sport they love and I know that Raymond would approve of this,” he added.
The RVSCF will hold several fundraising events with three already being planned for this year.
The first will be a gala dinner on 22 April, to be followed by a cricket sports day for children in August. The final event for the year will be a golf day in November that will include players from the world famous Marleybone Cricket Club (MCC).
“In November, Namibia will receive a visit from the MCC which is a huge honour and we are very excited about this. The idea is to hold a golf day and give sponsors an opportunity to play with some of the players,” Frankle said.
“It really warms my heart that we have people who care, and also people from the government. I look forward to the road ahead and I think it will be a huge success,” he added.
The Raymond van Schoor Cricket Foundation has invited junior Namibian cricketers as well as coaches to approach trustees to apply for financial assistance for the necessary equipment, coaching and travel costs. The beneficiaries should be young Namibian cricketers who are dedicated, motivated, talented and chasing their dreams of becoming successful cricketers at international level.
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