Photo Credit: Cricket South Africa
The cricket fraternity of the Garden Route Badgers bid farewell to its long serving president, Mr Rudy Claassen, at its annual awards ceremony that was held at De Opstal Country Lodge, on Saturday evening. He served the organization with distinction since September 2004 and will vacate the chair at the Annual General Meeting of the company which is scheduled to be held on 29 July 2023.
He joined the office as president of the SWD Cricket Board in the 2004/05 season, after associated status was awarded to five new provinces (including South Western Districts) as part of the re-structuring process of South African cricket.
His leadership approach was focused to allow SWD to become a full affiliate member of Cricket SA. During the initial years of his term the growth of SWD in its infancy as a rural Sub-Union of Boland in 2001 to its position of an exemplary associate member embodies the energy, as well as the vision of the young but involved collective leadership that permeates throughout the cricket community and the business community at large. On February 2nd 2013, at the AGM of CSA, the Board Directors approved SWD’s application as the twelfth full affiliate member of CSA.
Player development was a vital focus area and in 2010 SWD Cricket presented the first academy intake in the history of the province. The aim of this academy is to focus on the improvement of life and cricket skills of elite cricket players in the province. The elevation of players like Otneill Baartman and Glenton Stuurman who was part of the academy to national ranks is evident of the talent and talent development in the province.
Another milestone was in April 2011 when the sod-turning ceremony for the Construction of a new office complex was held at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn. This project was made possible via funding from the National Lotteries Board. Phase 1 – the construction of a Clubhouse, President Suite and Offices was completed in October 2012. Phase 2, the construction of dressing rooms – adjacent to the existing structure – started in May 2012 and was completed in October 2012. The National Lotteries Board and SA Sports Trust provided financial support for this project. The facilities were constructed on the land/property of the Municipality of Oudtshoorn. Over the years SWD Cricket established strong relations with the local government authorities in Oudtshoorn. The municipality has invested towards the striving for excellence of SWD Cricket and contributed both in terms of capital investments and maintenance by ensuring an adequate first-class facility. The construction of the new facilities is a symbol of growth in an exciting period in the history of SWD Cricket and contributes towards the objective of SWD Cricket to become a full affiliate of Cricket South Africa. The new facility allowed SWD Cricket to host high profile cricket matches and attract crowds and enhance the image of cricket in the region.
SWD Cricket was rewarded upon completion of the 2014/15 season for its operational structures and programs during the 2014/15 season. The affiliate ended third overall on the CSA Incentive Operational Score and in the 2015/16 season SWD finished 2nd on the score card and in 2019/20 4th.
The introduction of the Black African Cricket development program in 2008, under his leadership, was a commitment to develop the potential among our Black African people at all levels of the game. This program ensured a structure from where Black African cricket will be developed by firstly identifying potential primary schools and high schools to create a feeder system for players to create a club cricket system in designated areas. At present three Black African clubs namely Bongolethu, Thembalethu and Kwanonqaba are affiliated to SWD Cricket. A focus school project was also started at Imizama Yethu in Thembalethu in 2016.
He was also part of an historic process as part of the transition of South Western Districts Cricket as a Non-Profitable Company (NPC) the Board of Directors of the Company was elected at the Annual General Meeting that was held in Oudtshoorn on Saturday, September 6th 2014.
Other notable achievement included at award as Western Cape Sport Council: Federation of the Year (2015) and the Eden Sport Council: Federation of the Year (2006, 2011, 2013, 2015 & 2016)
Over the years many players have received awards in various categories at the CSA Annual Awards functions. For all the years the Oudtshoorn based team missed out on silverware in their cabinet but eventually on 28 December 2022 the Badgers pulled-off a hard-fought victory against the Tuskers in Pietermaritzburg to claim the CSA Division 2 One Day Cup. Women’s Cricket was an area where the Badgers lifted their game during the past few seasons and their elevation to the Top 6 competition and the way we performed needs to be commented. The contribution by Tazmin Brits and the support from Miceala Andrews, Jané Winster, Haroline Rhodes and Annerie Dercksen was evident.
He was also part of the process where SWD, after initially being part of the Eastern Cape franchise, the Warriors. In March 2015 Western Cape Cricket (Pty) Ltd agreed to the inclusion of SWD as part of Western Cape Cricket and the delinking from Eastern Cape Cricket. As a result of their shareholding at Western Cape Cricket, the Cobras, SWD had the opportunity presented various matches that were broadcasted live on SuperSport.
In 2019 the Members’ Council has approved a concept to investigate the movement of the headquarters to George. The impact of Covid on our operations has undoubtably waisted a lot of time in this aspiration. In Match this year the council of George has given us the green light and SWD will be hoping to be ready to host warm-up matches in George with the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.
In his closing presidential address, he thanked all the role players for their undevoted support during his term at office.
“It was really an honour and privilege to be of service to cricket in the province and the contributions of all involved were vital in our achievements”.
“My appointment as president of such an ambitious organization is one that I treasure and I will always be the biggest supporter of the Garden Route Badgers and will always follow your progress going forward”, he concluded.
In his vote of thanks towards Mr Claassen, the company CEO – Albertus Kennedy – who worked with Mr Claassen during his entire tenure at office described him as a leader who was never bigger than the organization.
“Whatever he did and whenever he had to represent SWD Cricket, the interest of SWD Cricket was always his number one priority”, Kennedy said, “He was a true leader and he served this position with pride”, Kennedy concluded.
