Inner Ring – Message from CEO:
Dear Dolphins family
Trust you are well and safe.
Powerplay
I had a read through previous editions of the Inner Ring and my final words of wisdom from December 2020 jumped at me…
The exact words:
“A year from now you will wish you had started today.”
How profound to think that a year has passed by so quickly, yet again.
I definitely have a few things that I wish I had started a year ago, and I am pretty sure most of you share the same sentiment. Let us not go into details, but rather reflect on the year that has passed by.
The COVID-19 pandemic has simply continued from 2020, with masks, sanitisers and social distancing the order of the day with various levels of lockdown, travel bans and all kinds of protocols in place wherever you may go. We have learned how to use the various virtual communication platforms, raise virtual hands and most importantly how to “unmute”. In KZN we also had the lootings to deal with, and as the sporting fraternity we had to operate with stadium restrictions, almost weekly COVID testing and the bio-bubble life.
It was an extremely challenging year for all, but I cannot help but be extremely grateful when I look back at 2021.
On a personal note I have had the most incredible few months getting to know my newborn daughter, Leah, and cannot help but wonder what the world will look like by the time she turns 18. I certainly want to help design a world where she can dream a million dreams and live a life of happiness.
Even though you might not have experienced such a life changing event during the past year, I want to challenge you to find something positive from the past year, be grateful for it and celebrate it.
Inside the boundary rope
The KZN Cricket Union was recently announced as the KZN Sports Federation of the Year, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins as the KZN Sports Team of the Year and Keshav Maharaj as the KZN Sportsman of the Year.
Our core business of cricket continued to flourish at professional level with a near flawless year on the field for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins:
- CSA T20 Finalists (Won 5, Lost 1)
- Momentum One Day Cup Shared Champions (Unbeaten)
- CSA 4-day Champions (Unbeaten)
- CSA T20 Knockout Finalists (Won 5, Lost 1)
The message in the Dolphins camp has always been that when the team flourishes, individuals will get recognised for higher honours and that has certainly been the case. Keshav Maharaj has continued his incredible rise in all formats for the Proteas and has also had various opportunities to captain the national team. David Miller and Andile Phehlukwayo joined Keshav at the T20 World Cup where the team performed admirably. Various other players received call-ups to higher level during the year including Keegan Petersen, Daryn Dupavillon, SJ Erwee, Khaya Zondo, Prenelan Subrayen, Ottneil Baartman and Jason Smith.
The domestic restructuring has had a severe impact on the KZN pipeline but also gave the opportunity to the KZN Inland team to operate at a more professional level. The Hollywoodbets Tuskers have had a very positive start to the season and currently tops the Division two 4-day standings. KZNCU also put in a formal application for KZN Inland to become a full affiliate and the process is well under way.
Our Hollywoodbets Coastal Women’s team cemented their place in the Top 6 nationally and once again various players were awarded with higher honours including Shabnim Ismail, Chloe Tryon, Trisha Chetty, Nondumiso Shangase and Nonkululeko Mlaba.
Hollywoodbets Kingsmead had the opportunity to host a record 24 televised matches during the year which included the Protea Women series vs Pakistan, the domestic T20 competition and the domestic 4-day final.
Follow-on
In addition to the operations of the main teams we have renewed our vision to ensure a steady flow of players to these senior teams and are working on various initiatives such as the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Centre of Excellence, Dolphins High Performance centre, as well as the Dolphins School of Excellence. These programmes are aimed at creating new opportunities outside of the CSA framework to ensure that KZNCU continues on the relentless path towards excellence.
In the stands
Resources certainly make a lot of things possible and for that we are extremely grateful for our family of sponsors. Their continued support has ensured that we can continue to not only survive but flourish through some challenging times. Their financial commitment, but also general input, advice and support have played a crucial role in our successes both on and off the field.
Our human resources remain our most valued asset and I have to say how immensely proud I am of all our players, coaches and administrators who have managed to function at high levels through some challenging times. Our governance structures and cricket services stakeholders continue to add immense value as we continue our journey towards making the game accessible to all and ultimately achieving excellence.
Most of our focus going forward will be based around a sustainable competitive pipeline and I am excited about engaging with all our stakeholders in the new year as we embark on the journey to design this strategy.
Close of play
As we head into the festive season let us raise a glass (of whatever you might prefer) to all the special souls whom we had to say our sad goodbyes to during the year. May their souls rest in peace and may their families know that our thoughts and prayers are with them.
Let me conclude with the same thought as 2020 –
“A year from now you will wish you had started today.”
Stay blessed,
Heinrich Strydom
The post Inner Ring – Message from CEO appeared first on Hollywoodbets Dolphins.
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