THE INNER RING SEPTEMBER 20 20 | FIRST INNINGS Dear Dolphins family Wow! Time flies. September already… Powerplay The lockdown has been extremely difficult for many people who have lost loved ones, jobs and businesses, our macro economy has taken a massive hit and some sectors will probably experience the aftermath of the pandemic for a long long time. Fortunately it also produced some unintended positives. Nature got an opportunity to get a well deserved rest, we got to spend some valuable time with immediate family members, we actually got to know our neighbours, made various financial savings including fuel and “entertainment”, and some even made very significant ones if they missed the deadlines on buying items like cigarettes or alcohol. From a cricket perspective the most significant positive in my opinion has been the fact that our match and practice facilities have been given a first proper break in many years and due to less distractions and limited national team duties, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins team has probably had one of their best, most focused pre-seasons in recent times. This period has also presented us all with the perfect opportunity to take stock of where we are in terms of our goals and dreams and to simply not take things for granted. As part of the unintended perks of my job, during the past week I had the opportunity to watch a intersquad match at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead. The first live sporting action for me since the Sharks beat the Stormers at Jonsson Kings Park nearly six months ago. THE INNER RING I S S U E : 1 6 It was magic to just sit and watch some incredible cricketers plying their trade, bowlers toiling away, batsmen feeling bat on ball and fielders energised by the opportunity of being back in action on their beloved Kingsmead. It was magic to just sit there in the North stand, almost directly in line with the pitch, to feel the Durban sun, and to take in the stadium and all its might. It was magic to have VIP tickets to this theatre of dreams and to reminisce of all the iconic players and captivating matches that have taken place at this special venue. My wish for all of us is to enjoy these moments as special gifts, remove the sense of entitlement which has become so deeply rooted in our veins and then to reignite our passion for cricket, sport, our beautiful country, and the wonderful dream of a harmonious rainbow nation. Inside the boundary rope This week I continue to share some profiles of the people behind the scenes, who are walking with me on this incredible journey. This profiles include our KZN Coastal and KZN Inland Coaching Managers, as well as our HR & Payroll Officer. Trust you will find these profiles interesting. THE INNER RING I S S U E : 1 6 FULL NAME Desigan Reddy TITLE Coaching Manager - KZN Coastal DATE OF BIRTH 13 December 1979 HIGH SCHOOL Southlands Secondary School PRIMARY SCHOOL Coedmore Primary School WHY CRICKET? Cricket has been a passion of mine since childhood. My dad played the game and going to practices and games with him drove my passion for cricket. The idea of being an individual performing in a team environment was always intriguing to me. Watching the comradery, friendships and bonds created by being in a team sport was a highlight for me in my younger days. The magic moment of realization for me of wanting to work in the game was actually born out of playing the game and calling Kingsmead HOME. Many moments of my playing career, from the times of practicing daily with cricket legends in Malcolm Marshall, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Jonty Rhodes, Andre Hudson and Dale Benkenstein to the surreal day that I made my debut for the Province. This buildup of great memories and many more lead me to believe that working in the game and sharing my knowledge and experience could help young talent realize their dreams in this game. WHY DOLPHINS? That’s easy- As a player I have represented KZN for a number of years in the various provincial age group teams. I went on to play Kzn Provincial Under 19, was in the KZN Academy and featured both in the Kzn Senior Provincial Team and the Dolphins Team. My passion for the Dolphins over the years that I played was always growing and I could see no better way to give back to cricket than being involved with the Dolphins and help growing young talent realise their hopes and dreams in the game of cricket. My roots have always been strong in the Dolphins Brand and I will always be a Kzn boy. LESSONS LEARNT IN CRICKET ADMINISTRATION I think that learning in life is a constant and here at the Dolphins I believe that there has been a constant reinforcement of your values as a person. Honesty, Integrity, Humility, Caring and Sharing. I am a fairly outspoken person and I have always believed that you stand for what you believe is right. Within my job here at the Dolphins I strive on a daily basis to ensure that my values as a human stays intact and that I add value to the Dolphins and the game of cricket every single day. Working with people that trust me with their careers keeps me on my toes to constantly stay focused on their growth and I have learnt through my job that SELF REFLECTION is a major asset when striving to do your best. I have learnt to work well in a pressured environment and that staying CALM is a massive positive. ALL TIME FAVOURITE DOLPHIN PLAYER Malcolm Marshall: What a legend. Unbelievable fire and determination. Amazing skills and always wore his heart on his sleeve. Will never in my life forget a game I watched were he broke his hand batting and still came out to bowl in the next inning. If I’m not mistaken winning us the game with a 5fer. This was a man who commanded respect merely with his presence. FAVOURITE PART OF MY ROLE Being able to engage with coaches and players about the game and more importantly working with both coaches and players in assisting them to grow further. Helping people be the best they can is a major passion for me. I simply love seeing success stories unfold and being given the privilege to be involved with these coaches and players in their walk through their careers is an absolute honour. FAVOURITE KINGSMEAD MEMORY My Debut game against Gauteng. Opening the bowling from the Old Fort End. ASPIRATIONS FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS I still believe that I have a lot to offer from a coaching capacity and would like to see myself transition into roles as a coaching consultant at the professional level. Although having aspirations to continue coaching in whatever capacity at a higher level I would still want to play a massive role in upskilling and mentoring coaches for the future. Maybe if the opportunity arises at CSA or Internationally to fulfil my aspirations, then I would definitely look to take that road. THE INNER RING I S S U E : 1 6 FULL NAME Yashveer Singh TITLE Coaching Manager - Inland DATE OF BIRTH 14 February 199 HIGH SCHOOL Raisethorpe High School PRIMARY SCHOOL Deccan Primary School WHY CRICKET? As a youngster, born and raised in Shakaskraal, which is just before Stanger on the North Coast, the exposure to cricket was minimal. At a later stage, having moved to Pietermaritzburg and having an uncle who was at the time the President of KwaZulu-Natal Inland Primary Schools Cricket and a true servant of the game, exposed to me to the beautiful game on so many different levels, it was a culture shock of sorts which would then become a lifestyle. Being involved as a scorer, umpire, team manager and coach in that order respectively from my teenage years to an administrator today, the ability to ensure growth and life changing situations in the people and players around me will forever keep me involved in this beautiful game. The mannerisms and teachings which our beautiful game offers has been a driving force of my passion for this sport. I lead simply by the motto, ‘Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life’. My uncle, Larry Hemchand, has been an inspiration to myself and many young aspiring cricketers in the community from which I come, his service to KwaZulu-Natal Cricket at Club, School and Provincial Level has been 2nd to none. The tireless work spent by himself and so many others in the community was rewarded by ensuring that players who were exposed to cricket had an avenue in life, cricket being a way to a better life. It is being around these men and seeing the rewards of changing others that has drawn me towards cricket, towards ensuring excellence in our sport and ensuring that players have an avenue to better themselves with our sport. The differences that they have made in players lives have instilled in me the desire to make a positive difference in others. WHY DOLPHINS? The Dolphins is HOME. I have begun my career at the Dolphins and am eternally grateful for the opportunity afforded in my various roles prior to my current position which has indeed molded the manner in which I go about my work today. The direction in which the Dolphins have taken over the past 3 years has been phenomenal, on and off the field, it is with great honor that I have been a part of this direction and the way forward.