
The Under 15 Boys are set to embark on the 22nd Tour of South Africa on Thursday, October 17. Find out more about the tour by reading this year's brochure.
14 players will follow in the footsteps of more than 300 previous tourists when they travel to the Southern Hemisphere next week, stopping at Kruger National Park and Cape Town during their fortnight in South Africa.
Ahead of this season's tour, tourist Sam Ford and tour coach Paul Heard preview the 2024 trip.
Keep up to date with the latest from the tour on Facebook, Instagram and Play Cricket.
Player's Preview
Sam Ford is an all-rounder from Cornwood CC and was named Under 15 Boys Player of the Year at this season's County Age Group Awards.
"I am really looking forward to this upcoming tour of South Africa for many reasons. Firstly, I am very excited to see the South African culture and to be able to experience the various landscapes and wildlife that are there, as well as the weather, which I believe is much better than in the UK! I am also very much looking forward to the social aspect of it.
"This will include spending time with friends, current and hopefully new ones. This tour will give me an opportunity to build better relationships with my Devon teammates and also be able to establish new relationships with individuals from the teams that we play. This will also be the longest time I have been away from home on my own and I am hoping to increase my self-confidence, autonomy and independent living skills.
"I am extremely passionate about cricket and this tour will enable me to enhance my current skills whilst stretching my abilities by playing against teams of a high calibre. This is important to me because I am keen to challenge myself with new opportunities, such as batting at different positions in the order, as well as bowling in environmental conditions that I have never played in before.
"I have heard from past players who have gone on this tour, that they have developed themselves both from a personal perspective, as well as a cricketing one and I am very hopeful that this will be my experience too. Above all, this tour will give me the chance to spend dedicated time with like-minded people, who are as passionate about cricket as I am."
Coach's Preview
Paul Heard is the Assistant Pathway Coach of the Devon Cricket Performance Pathway and will be embarking on his sixth tour of South Africa, his fifth as a coach.
"It’s a huge privilege to tour South Africa, from both a cricketing and life experience viewpoint, even once. So to be in a position to coach on my fifth tour, as well as to have experienced this as a player 14 years ago, means these opportunities are never taken for granted.
"South Africa is an incredible country that provides everything we want from a development tour in the Devon Cricket Performance Pathway.
"On the field, players can expect a variation in the conditions they usually face, both from weather and pitch types. In the past, we have played and trained in heat above 35 degrees and The Kruger National Park often produces days where humidity is over 90%, a real test.
"The Cape Town leg challenges tourists with quick and bouncy pitches alongside a constant wind that varies in strength. The opposition will also provide a new challenge, varying in age and ability. However, knowledge suggests they will all possess the same traits; a desire and competitiveness to win every battle on the field, but with a huge amount of respect and willingness to build relationships off it.
"Off the field, we want the players to develop some important life skills that aid their growth in cricket and ‘the outside world’. A level of independence and increased personal responsibility will be given to players, the benefits of which, in the past, have been seen in both individuals and teams as they return to the higher levels of the Performance Pathway.
"Another huge benefit that this year's group has, is the support of Ben Green in the coaching staff. Having toured previously with Ben, I can say honestly that his input to this experience is invaluable. He possesses all the attributes we strive to instil in our Performance Pathway players. They will learn, not only from his impressive professional record and standards, but also from his journey through the Devon Cricket age-group system and approachable nature.
"Aside from this, I can only speak from personal experience, but South Africa has the ability to change your outlook on life. The wildlife and remote nature of the Kruger National Park is remarkable, a true reflection of what you expect from Africa. And then Cape Town; a stunning city that lives up to the hype; an amalgamation of cultures with a constant backdrop of outstanding typography, there are so many positives!
"But with the enjoyment comes situations to learn and reflect from. We will see disparity; we will learn of past injustices, but these are not to shy away from. These makeup arguably our most prominent aspects of the tour; we want these players to return more well-rounded, both as cricketers and as individuals.
"I would like to finish by thanking the tour managers Matt Theedom, and Matt Cooke and their predecessors Alan Swift and Mark Ansell. There is an enormous amount of work that is needed to make these tours successful and enjoyable; and it is clear that the relationships that have been built over the twenty-one years of the tour, mean it is unique; it certainly feels very special to be involved."
Squad
Back row: Marcus Neary (Exeter CC), Ollie Knight (Sandford CC), Gethin Williams (Bovey Tracey CC), Josh Stewart (Bradninch & Kentisbeare CC), Ben Major (Ottery St Mary CC), Jake Dunn (Ivybridge CC), Callum Williams (Plympton CC).
Front row: Ben Handley (Sandford CC), Sam Ford (Cornwood CC), Artie Evans (Heathcoat CC), Harry Witcher (Plymouth CC), Jacob Hardy (Exeter CC), Aryan Dua (Plymouth CC), Josh Paget (Exeter CC).
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank everyone who has contributed and supported the players in their preparation for the 2024 tour:
Alan Pepperell | Alex Clements Coaching | Amy Stewart |
Barton Grange Properties Ltd | Bibbys Chartered Accountants | Blundell's School |
Boathouse Torcross | Bob Freeman | Bovey Tracey Cricket Club |
Brewer & Sons | Crediton Church Governors | Crowdfunder.co.uk |
Dan Hardy | Dartmoor Building Services | David Field Wealth Management |
David Shepherd Cricket Trust | Demport CC | Des Soloman |
Devon Carers | DRB CAS Ltd SW | Dylan Pemberthy |
Elaine & Joe Dunn | Elliott Action | Exeter School |
Fernley Cricket Shop | Fernley Yeo Ltd | Flood Control International |
Frank & Eileen Wall | Gala Events | Gary Chappell |
Gater Contractors | Gavin Brown | Gibbings & Sons |
Graphic PLC | Hamblys Ltd | Howdens |
Iain Cunningham | Independent Slate | Ivybridge Cricket Club |
Jackie Giles | Jewells Garage | Jill Day |
JK Rugby Coaching & Mentoring | John Scott & Roy Dockings | Bradninch & Kentisbeare Cricket Club |
Kenyon Canopy | KF Kitchens | Lewis's Crediton |
Mark & Lil Dixon | Martin Hancock | McKinley White |
Michael Hallam | Michael Spiers | Motor Parts Direct |
Mount Kelly | O & C Butcher | Ottery St Mary Cricket Club |
Otter Valley Rotary | Pat Day Richard Packer | Rose & Crown, Sandford |
Ruby Red Financial | Sandford Cricket Club | Sandford Relief Fund |
Short Run Press | Shrey Sports | Sir John Timpson CBE |
South Dartmoor Community College | Sports Coaches South West Ltd | Stephen Hosking |
Stuart Fisher | Swabs Developments Ltd | The Lamb Inn |
The Pain Adventure Trust | The Peter Tavy Inn | Upton Coaches |
VH Graddon & Sons | Ward Williams Financials | Phil Warrick |
Welden & Edwards | Wellington School | Wombat Cricket |