It’s Sunday morning, and there’s a lazy atmosphere at Lord’s. The crowd is only starting to trickle in for the World Cup’s last group stage games, and as the national anthems of Bangladesh and South Africa begin, a group of excited teenagers in smart matching red polo tops are looking for their seats. They sing “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” with an exuberance that’s unmatched by anyone else: their visit to Lord’s clearly holds deep significance for them.
The group are the U19 Women’s team from The Catch Trust, a pioneering programme rooted in cricket is helping to reshape futures for young people in South Africa’s townships. Founded in 2014 by former South Africa and India coach Gary Kirsten, The Catch Trust, originally the Gary Kirsten Foundation, began with a simple but powerful ambition: to bring cricket to communities long excluded from the sport.
“Gary wanted to understand what cricket looked like beyond the traditional, privileged schools,” explains Tim Human, the Trust’s CEO. “What he found was a huge gap — not in talent, but in opportunity.”
Nowhere was that gap more evident than in Khayelitsha, a township outside Cape Town with a population of over a million. Marked by high levels of poverty and the enduring legacy of apartheid, the area had virtually no access to cricket infrastructure.
“Cricket was seen as a ‘white’ sport,” Tim says. “There were no facilities, and it’s an expensive game to play. For most young people, it simply wasn’t an option.”
From Chance Discovery to Provincial Cricket
For players like Sinelethu Yaso, that lack of access nearly meant missing out entirely.
“We are from the township in Cape Town,” she says. “I was 11 years old, in Grade 6, doing gumboot dance. One time we went to the cricket nets… and everything just came naturally.”
Despite her talent, she initially resisted the sport. “There were boys around, and I didn’t really want to play,” she recalls. “Coach Babalwa convinced me, but she struggled. I’d go to training wearing flip-flops and make excuses not to train.”
Eventually, she committed and her progress was rapid. “The following year, I made the provincial Under-16 team. I was only 12.” Her journey reflects the untapped potential The Catch Trust seeks to unlock.
From Nets to Wider Impact
The Trust began by installing nets in five local schools and training community-based coaches. From those early steps, it has grown into a programme supporting around 500 young people across multiple initiatives. Its philosophy is simple: “Talent is universal, but opportunity isn’t.” Over time, the Trust expanded beyond cricket into Women’s empowerment programmes and life skills and career development.
“We realised cricket could be a vehicle for much more,” Tim explains. “It brings young people in, but once they’re there, we can support them in all aspects of life.”
A key milestone has been the creation of a high-performance centre in Khayelitsha, providing world-class training facilities alongside a hub for community programmes.
Exposure Beyond the Township
One of the Trust’s most powerful tools has been international exposure. In 2019, a group travelled to the UK for the men’s Cricket World Cup, opening eyes both for participants and their families.
“Many parents had never been on a plane,” says Tim. “Seeing what sport could offer changed perspectives across the community.”
That impact continues today, with a group of young female cricketers touring the UK during the Women’s World Cup.
“These girls are talented, many already playing provincial cricket,” Tim says. “But they come from very difficult circumstances.”
For players like Sinelethu, the experience is deeply meaningful.
“It means so much to me,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to come here. Lord’s is one of the best cricket grounds in the world. This is such a great opportunity and a privilege.”
The tour includes matches against local teams, as well as the Afghan refugee women’s team, visits to iconic venues, and opportunities to meet the South African national side. Meeting elite players has been a powerful source of motivation.
“I look up to everyone in the team,” Sinelethu says. “Especially the captain and the players who came through the Under-19s — they showed that it’s possible.”
Many of those national players also come from challenging backgrounds, making their success even more relatable.
Talent with a Future
For coach Babalwa Zothe, the potential within the programme is clear.
“They’re very talented,” she says. “I can see some of them playing for the Proteas one day. Not all of them, of course — but some individuals will definitely make it.”
While producing elite athletes is not the primary goal, the pathway does exist. Several players are already competing at the provincial level, with one having represented South Africa Under-19s.
“Having even a few players break through would be huge,” Tim says. “They become role models for everyone else.”
More Than a Game
While cricket is the starting point, the impact reaches far beyond sport. For many participants, The Catch Trust provides structure, safety, and a vision for the future.
“It’s not just about producing professional cricketers,” Tim explains. “It’s about giving young people confidence, skills, and a belief in what’s possible.”
For Sinelethu, that journey is already underway, from reluctant beginner to rising provincial player, now stepping onto some of cricket’s biggest stages. And for The Catch Trust, her story is exactly the point.
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