Musonda to launch cricket academy

Don Makanyanga

Zimpapers Sports-Hub

ZIMBABWE women’s cricket team captain Mary-Anne Musonda will be launching her own cricket academy as a way of giving back to the sport that have given so much.

The academy, which has been named Girls Play Cricket Academy, will be launched at St Johns Emerald Hill tomorrow.

She told Zimpapers Sports Hub that the academy is part of her giving back to the sport.

“Girls Play Cricket Academy is my way of giving back.

“The launch is going to be at St Johns High School Emerald hill, my former school. It feels both meaningful and fitting to give back to the institution that played a pivotal role in my own growth.

“By launching this project there, I aim to contribute positively to the school and support the next generation of young girls aspiring to pursue cricket,” said Musonda.

Musonda revealed that the academy seeks to give upcoming girls opportunities at tender age.

“It is a project that focuses on primary and high school girls who are interested in cricket, it helps nurture their talent and provides them with an environment to explore the sport seriously, either as a potential career.

“The project seeks to provide opportunities and platforms for girls that I wish I had when I was younger, but perhaps never had access to,” said Musonda.

Musonda, who is now in the twilight of her career, believes the academy will unlock the potential at a tender age.

“I believe there is immense untapped potential in girls.

“Cricket will serve as a powerful tool to empower and inspire them, whether they choose to pursue it as a career or simply as a passion.

“By dedicating ourselves to developing female cricketers, we hope to foster a strong, competitive, and inclusive environment for girls in cricket,” she said.

The academy will target girls from the age of five to 18.

“One of the key reasons for this focus is that, in most existing cricket academies, boys’ teams are relatively easy to form, while girls’ teams often face challenges in gaining traction.

“Our goal is to actively recruit and support young girls, with the aim of narrowing this gap and creating more opportunities for them in the sport,” said Musonda.