I arrived in Ireland on the 14th of July at Dublin international airport. I came over as part of a cricket exchange programme recently established between Cricket Leinster and my school in Johannesburg, St Stithians boys college. I was greeted at the airport by Brían O’Rourke, Cricket Development Manager for Leinster and one of Leinster’s youth players Fionn Hand. From the airport he first took me to a U17 Interprovincial game between NCU and NW at North County cricket club. After an hour we set off for Rush cricket club which would be my home ground for the next six weeks. I was welcomed by Matt Sheridan who is the President of Rush Cricket club, I was also introduced to the club professional Lynal Janson who was also from South Africa (Paarl).
During my six weeks I played over 20 games which included T20 and 50 over cricket. I played for the clubs 1st, 2nd and U17 team. I was involved in coaching the junior teams at Rush and also helped coach at the club’s summer camp. I also spent long and hard hours in the nets training and learning as much as I could from the club professional and a few of the senior members of the first team. The standard of Cricket in Ireland was very good, I came across and played against many overseas professionals which also included a wicket I took of a Sri Lanka A player. The grounds I played on were in great condition and the wickets were good. The best wicket I played on and ground was my home ground Rush Cricket Club which was a batsman's paradise. I learnt a lot from this exchange and I feel I have developed as a cricketer and as a person getting out of my comfort zone and experiencing new things and facing new challenges.
I was fortunate enough to visit a lot of places in Ireland. I went down to Kerry which is in the Southern part of Ireland to my host family’s holiday house. The scenery was beautiful and was a great experience. Also I went up North into Northern Ireland on two occasions. First visit was to Belfast where Rush played the national cup semi-final against Woodvale which we won and on the second occasion I was part of a Leinster team that went to the North West to play a Tri series. We won the tri series 2-1. Losing the T20 and winning the 45 over game it was all square going into the last day and due to bad weather we had a bowl out to see who would win. This being my first bowl out I was nervous, we won the bowl out 6 - 4 and unfortunately I missed the wickets when it was my turn to bowl.
During my six week stay I also learnt a lot about Irish culture. I was introduced to the games of hurling and Gaelic football, two big sports that are played in Ireland. I was shown some of the hurling skills by the friends I had made. This is a once in a lifetime experience and I’m truly grateful for everyone that made it special and to Cricket Leinster and St Stithians Boys College for allowing me to come and experience this adventure. I have made new friends and many memories which I will cherish forever. I really hope to come back in the future and play cricket for Rush again and see all the friends I have made.
A special thanks to Rush Cricket Club for hosting me and taking good care of me during my stay. The Rush cricket club is a family and thank you for letting me be part of that family. All the best for the National Cup Final on the 28th.
Also a special thanks to my host family, the Conway family (Peter & Noelle), for everything you have done and for making my stay special and always sorting me out for games and always coming to support me. I really appreciate everything you have done for me and I couldn’t have had a better family to stay with. It truly did feel like a home away from home.
Another lovely gesture by club member Gerrard Kenny who took time out to give me his own, St Maur's GAA jersey, on the day of my departure
Thank you everyone, I am going to miss you all and hope to be back some time in future!
Jared Venter (16)