Image Source: Reuters
[Saba Sports News] Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced the lineup for the 2024 CSA Emerging Academy on Tuesday, April 23. Formerly known as the National Academy, its goal is to accelerate players’ progression from age-group and senior provincial cricket to the national stage through advanced coaching and rigorous high-performance training.
Operating from the CSA Centre of Excellence in Pretoria, both the men’s and women’s squads consist of individuals who have demonstrated their talents for South Africa at the U19 level. Under the guidance of Malibongwe Maketahe, coach for SA U19 and Men’s Emerging Academy, the men’s team will participate in a program from May to July. Meanwhile, Dinesha Devnarain, coach for SA U19 and Women’s Emerging Academy, will lead the women’s program from June to July.
Grant van Helden, head of high performance at CSA, highlighted the significance of reimagining the National Academy, aligning with the evolving international cricket landscape and CSA’s 2027 vision. He emphasized that the establishment of the 2024 CSA Emerging Academy reaffirms the board’s commitment to bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket.
“In line with the dynamic shifts in international cricket and our bold 2027 vision, the reimagining of our National Academy marks a pivotal moment. The emergence of the 2024 CSA Emerging Academy underscores our commitment to bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket. By focusing on personalized technical and tactical growth over an intensive period, we’re accelerating the development of a select group of players, addressing both the immediate needs of our Proteas teams and laying the groundwork for sustained excellence,” said Helden.