Thomas off on South Africa trip

Thomas off on South Africa trip

29 October 2014

A YOUNG Downpatrick cricketer is getting ready for the trip of a lifetime.

Sixteen year-old Thomas Magowan has been included in the Northern Cricket Union squad that will be heading to Cape Town next spring for a series of matches and coaching sessions.

Between now and then the squad will be training at the University of Ulster’s Jordanstown Sports Centre.

Thirty boys in two squads and ten support staff will make the trip to Cape Town departing on March 26 and returning on April 5 next year.

Alan Waite, NCU vice-chairman, who will act as manager to one of the squads explained: “The touring party will be pitched at two levels. Firstly, we are looking at the U-15 age group and then the U-17 age group.

“The key thing is the level that the tour is pitched at. We want this to be competitive and the level of competition to step up as the tour progresses.

“We will also be staying in a complex called City Lodge, Grand West in Cape Town, which effectively has everything on-site and will serve to keep the whole party together. 

“I believe that having it at the start of the season is the right timing.

“The players will be doing a lot of work as a squad sessions throughout the winter and this will give a real focus to that.

“Plus they will be able to take the learning from the tour and apply it directly in the new season at home.”