Station Hill Cricket Club: An Interview with Andy Jones
In Port Alfred, the Station Hill Cricket Club (SHCC) represents the heart of community spirit and resilience. Founded in 2005 by Andy Peter Jones and his friends Nathan Hilpert and Wayne Gaseba, SHCC emerged from the desire to provide a safe space for local youth to engage in cricket and stay away from negative influences. With guidance from community leader, the late Mr. Jacobs, the club quickly grew, offering opportunities for many youngsters to participate in the sport.
SHCC has made significant strides over the years, achieving milestones such as winning the Pineapple Tournament in 2017 and 2024 and the Eastern Province Grahamstown Cricket Board championship in 2018. Their success is not only a source of pride but also a boon to local tourism. Through social media and local tournaments, SHCC attracts visitors and showcases Port Alfred as a vibrant cricket destination.
Sponsorship from TrevPAR World has further enhanced the club’s capabilities, providing essential resources and fostering greater community engagement. As Andy Peter Jones highlights, the impact of local cricket extends beyond the field, influencing tourism and encouraging newcomers to explore the beauty of Port Alfred.
In the following Q&A, Andy discusses the club’s history, its contributions to sports tourism, and the challenges and triumphs that continue to shape SHCC’s journey. Join us as we delve into the inspiring story of Station Hill Cricket Club, where sports and community unite to create a lasting legacy.
1. Can you tell us about the history and significance of Station Hill Cricket Club within the local community?
Growing up in Stationhill there was no cricket club or facilities. As a result, Me, Andy Jones and two friends, namely Nathan Hilpert and Wayne Gaseba decided to start up a Cricket Club, with the assistance and guidance of community leader, the late Mr Jacobs, we recruited our peers, community members and local youngsters to join and play the game we love and that is how SHCC was established in 2005.
Since then, the SHCC has many youngsters from the community playing and practicing cricket and keeping them off the streets and away from the detrimental socio-economic factors, drug and alcohol abuse to name but a few.
Despite the lack of infrastructure, equipment and other social, financial and logistical hurdles, SHCC has grown from strength to strength with some memorable achievements over the years. For example, the 1st non-white/previously disadvantaged club Winning the local Pineapple Tournament in 2017 & 2024. Winning the Eastern Province Grahamstown Cricket Board (GCB) in 2018.
2. How does Station Hill Cricket Club contribute to promoting sports tourism in the region.
SHCC contributes to promoting sports tourism by taking part in the local tournaments and leagues as a result social media plays a massive part in spreading the info and lures tourist to our local accommodation spots and restaurants and visiting clubs to joining our local tournaments.
For example, we have a young exciting all-rounder from Zimbabwe, Roy that is part of the club and winning team for a few seasons. Due to social media and our recent Pineapple Tournament Win and performances SHCC will be hosting a pre-season friendly to a touring Zimbabwean Cricket Club putting our small town on the map and our accommodation, restaurants, tourism industry will be benefitting.
3. What impact has TrevPAR World’s sponsorship had on the club and its ability to engage with the community?
The Sponsorship from TrevPAR World has been Godsent and brought so much relief. Besides looking the part with the striking tracksuits and gear. The Sponsorship has given much relief financially and allowing players to focus on playing the game and not worrying about logistical arrangements like transport costs, lunches, match balls, umpire fees.
And winning the Pineapple Tournament 2024 and ending runners up by a very small margin in the GCB league 2024 has brought so much publicity to the SHCC and had many community members noticing the achievements of the club and supporting the matches. And with special talents like Franklin Jacobs that performs with bat and ball week in and out and remarkable contributions by Sipho Saki and fierily bowling spells by Captain Cody Jones hopefully inspiring some youngsters to play cricket and stay out of trouble.
4. How do you think local cricket clubs like Station Hill can influence tourism and bring more visitors to the area?
As mentioned previously, we have a potential touring team from Zimbabwe coming to play some preseason matches against us and we have also done a few local tours within the Eastern Cape, and we are anticipating those teams to come to Port Alfred for a return fixture. This will benefit Tourism in Port Alfred and expose our beautiful town to visitors and some even 1st time visitors to our area and hopefully com visit again with their families for weekends away or summer vacations.
5. What challenges and opportunities do you see for sports tourism in South Africa, particularly through cricket.
As with many other industries, lack of infrastructure and financial constraints are hampering the development and exposure of Cricket in our community.
6. Could you share any memorable moments or success stories from the club that highlight the connection between sports and tourism?
With generous sponsors like TrevPar World and collaborations with municipalities and local businesses that stand together and make the prestigious tournaments like the Historic Pineapple Tournament a success that feeds tremendously to the local hospitality restaurants, local business and entrepreneurs and attracts visitors to our beautiful Port Alfred.
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