Schoolboy coach

Ross McCreath (14) is still a schoolboy at St. Andrew’s College in Grahamstown but he's already a successful cricket coach. Ross, along with his assistant coach Gladman Xali (68), has taken a group of bored boys and turned them into the Tiger Titans cricket team. The boys' parents are farm labourers near where Ross' parents, Glenn and Anne, farm. Last December Ross noticed that the boys had nothing to do during the school holidays, so he taught them cricket. He approached the Port Alfred municipality for permission to use some land outside the town, and was also successful in obtaining equipment sponsors. Three months later, the Tiger Titans beat u-14 St. Andrew’s College team. Ross, who played for his school team, was bowled out for a duck, by one of the boys he taught. The boys have carried on playing cricket, even though it is not easy to find the time. After school, they often have to help with chores, and before they can practise, they have to chase cattle off their "pitch". Ross has a busy school schedule, playing rugby and cricket, but every weekend he spends time with the boys that he hopes will one day represent their province or country.