THE SWD Women’s club champions for the past nine seasons, Union Stars from Oudtshoorn, has made a massive statement in South African women’s cricket by winning the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Twenty20 National Women’s Club Championship that was concluded in Potchefstroom on Sunday (16 April).
The Oudtshoorn based team were victorious in all their five matches – including strong opposition from the Dolphins and Lions. Union Stars were the Western Cape representatives in this event.
Although the success of the champions was due to a clinical team effort, individual performances by the Garden Route Badgers provincial players like Mieke de Ridder and Askahe Nyovane with the bat, Jané Winster and Marnazelle Rabie with the ball, and a brilliant all-round performance by Micaela Andrews were vital in their successful campaign.
An elated club chairperson of Union Stars, Michelle Weyers, praised the commitment and hard work of the players where they – in spite of their socio-economic challenges – raised to achieve success and made history.
“The role of the team manager Katrisha Strydom, Jané Winster (player/coach) and captain Haroline Rhodes was highlighted together with the character of the players that has made the Western Cape, the Garden Route Badgers and Oudtshoorn, very proud of this landmark achievement,” she said.
The President of SWD Cricket, Rudy Claassen, congratulated the Union Stars.
“The development and elevation of women’s cricket on all levels has for many years been a strategic objective of SWD Cricket and this was advocated by the board of directors,” he said.
Claassen paid tribute to the leadership of the club for their success and commended the role of the club chairperson, Weyers.
Union Stars women claim National Club Championship title
The Cricket South Africa Twenty20 National Women’s Club Champions, Union Stars from Oudtshoorn, celebrate after their championship win. Photo supplied