Vince van der Bijl has a penchant for doing big things. He is a very big man after all.
The former South African fast bowler has arguably completed his biggest achievement yet with the 69-year-old convincing the esteemed Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to donate £50 000 over three years (R900 000 a year) to Ukhanyo Primary School in Masiphumelele to improve the entire sporting structure at the school via the MCC Masi 750 Sports Club project.
In addition to the three new astro-turf cricket nets that were opened on Tuesday, the project will aim to sustain a proper coaching structure through a full-time sports administrator/coach/PE instructor from sports development company Sporting Chance, two additional sports coaches together with the provision of equipment kit and most importantly transport to the matches.
“The MCC is supporting this project here in Masiphumelele because we believe we can make a real difference here.
"Through Vince van der Bijl providing inspirational leadership and with his knowledge, dedication and commitment, the club’s three-year investment can make a very real difference and help to lay the foundations for a sustainable future,” MCC chief executive Derek Brewer, who flew in to Cape Town from London specifically for the opening, told Independent Media.
Ukhanyo Primary School has already been a shining light of positivity in the impoverished Masiphumelele community through the help of NGO partner Masicorp, who undertake skills development in the area among many other things.
“It means a lot to us because it has put our school on a pedestal. We can raise our school to higher heights. Kids are going to be competing with other schools in the valley. It has added a great deal of value to our school,” said headmaster Michael Thyali.
“The MCC has helped us through that gentleman Vince. He came to our school with the idea of starting this kind of cricket club.
"He said to us he’s going to launch this cricket club in August.
"He came with an idea of funding, and he spoke to the MCC, and they managed to give us funding for this kind of project.
‘‘We are so privileged to also have the help of Masicorp.”
The MCC runs similar projects in Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Nepal.