Since she was a young girl watching her grandfather coach the Weston Boys’ First Team cricket, Nicole De Klerk developed a deep love and appreciation for the game. Now, years later, the cricket fundi represented South Africa against Thailand as part of the Emerging Women’s Cricket Team in Potchefstroom at Senwes Park recently. Springfield Weekly Gazette invited the athlete on the couch to get to know the woman behind the runs.
Springfield Weekly Gazette (SWG): How did it feel being selected to represent your country as part of the Emerging Women’s Cricket Team?
Nicole De Klerk (NDK): It was absolutely unreal when I got the news that I was selected. Nerves and excitement definitely took over. I think the main thing was that I wanted to prove that I could not only play at the level but also perform. I didn’t know whom to call first but family definitely came to mind.
SWG: Tell us more about your journey playing the sport and how it impacted your life?
NDK: My journey started young. I used to watch my grandfather coach the Weston Boys’ First Team cricket. We also used to wake up in the early hours of the morning and watch test cricket. I played on the field during break with the boys and started my journey during mini cricket at school. I ended up in the Treverton Boys’ First Team in Grade 10. I then moved schools and went to Howick High School. I was the first girl to be capped for the first team in both schools. I started playing women’s and U19 girls’ provincial cricket at age 14. I also joined the Howick Men’s Club team to get more game time in. My final year at U19 provincial cricket, I made the SA Fillies team. I moved to Durban to pursue a better brand of cricket in 2020. I made the women’s super league the same year and started to adjust to a top-six level of cricket. In 2020/2021 not much cricket was played due to the pandemic, however, bio-bubble structures were put in place and we were able to play cricket. I felt like my game grew and changed over this period. Fast forward a few months later and in on the pitch at Senwes Park in green and gold representing the SA Emerging women’s side. The impacts were that I learnt culture in all senses of the word, toured all over our beautiful country and met amazing people. It has shaped me as a person. I identify to cricket, it is a part of my identity, and without it I am not sure what I would do.
SWG: Besides cricket, what other hobbies and passions do you have?
NDK: Cricket does take up the bulk of my free time. If I’m not playing it, I’m visualising and thinking about it. I really love watching cricket too. I have taken on running over these past few years. It allows me to take competition out of sport and just enjoy sunrises and take in some Durban air. When I go back home I cannot wait to get onto a dam and bass fish. I am an absolute coffee lover too! You can find me catching up with friends over a cup of coffee. I am passionate about my job at Chelsea Preparatory School. Any way I can help or be involved I definitely try and get my hands on it. I coach a cricket side at school and definitely try to instil manners and respect as well as tradition into the next generation of tiny humans coming through. I like being a busy body.
SWG: You have recently represented SA against Thailand in a 50 over and T20 series, what was the experience like?
NDK: The experience was life-changing to say the least. Sometimes it’s hard to explain. I learnt so much about my game and how I can better myself. It made you want to work twice as hard to get to the next level. I think it is every female cricketer’s dream to play cricket all day, every day (I did that for a month). I gained not only knowledge from coaches but my teammates. There are periods where emotions run high, there are periods of lull and then there are periods of self-reflection. You learn so much within a short space of time. To be a part of such a professional and growing environment was a blessing to say the least. I remember standing on the last day, I took a step back and just observed everything, and emotions came up because I was present in the moment and just took it all in. It’s amazing how quickly the time goes when you are growing as a human.
SWG: What do you love most about cricket and why?
NDK: I think I like cricket because although you perform individually, your individual efforts go towards a team goal. I love it in all its senses. It teaches you discipline and respect. You can play it anywhere and almost every South African can spark a conversation about it. You can connect with people. I didn’t always have an easy childhood so it helped me channel my energy into something positive. You have role models and can speak to professionals about their passion. Overall, I just think cricket for me will always be a love and passion.
SWG: What are the most challenging aspects of the sport and how do you manage to persevere through them?
NDK: Cricket is a huge mental game. I think it is a constant battle and my battle is especially with self-belief. I struggle to grasp the fact that I deserve to be in certain teams. You second guess ability often. A basic human attribute is to also compare yourself to others. I do struggle with that, however, I have learnt over the Thailand series that it is you against you. I use my running as a processor to help me settle the thoughts. I also try to read sports psychology books and listen to podcasts.
SWG: What is your motto?
NDK: My motto is being a good human above everything. When our cricket days are over we need to be happy with the type of person we are outside the game. Stay humble always, the game has a funny way of doing that without you knowing and lastly consistency is everything and the passing on of knowledge is even more valuable.
SWG: Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
NDK: I can’t pinpoint a certain person when it comes to inspiration. I find inspiration in everyday things. Certainly my grandfather comes to mind. Definitely the women at the top of the set-up are an inspiration. A big overall inspiration for me would be continuing the efforts of women/girls that came before me and honouring their legacies and struggles, but also having the responsibility to set the platform up for the future cricketers to come. It’s our job as women cricketers to inspire the next girl to pick up a cricket bat or ball and have a dream to represent her country.
SWG: What have you observed about the emerging popularity of women’s cricket in recent years?
NDK: I think women’s cricket is most definitely on the rise. You can see it by how much more it is streamed on television, how seriously they are taking national weeks as well as setting up contracts for ladies in set-ups. Women cricketers are definitely becoming household names and people are buying into the fact that girls are just as good in their own respect as boys.
SWG: How do you think we could encourage more young women to venture into this incredible sport?
NDK: I think foundational cricket (mini and school sport) has a huge role to play. As soon as schools and clubs buy into girls’ cricket, more girls will have opportunities to play. Watch more women’s cricket. It’s amazing how quickly you can find a role model in cricket. There are some amazing humans out there representing the sport. Our provincial women’s set-up can also become more involved in the game on a coaching level and try and interact with children from different schools.
SWG: And lastly, do you have any words of wisdom for our incredible aspiring female athletes out there?
NDK: I have had many people give me words of wisdom but the ones that resonated with me and are worth sharing will definitely relate to aspiring cricketers. If you want to go far you have to set a goal and go for it. By dreaming big you achieve big. You don’t have to be extreme, just consistent. Be a better you every day and strive for greatness. Keep it simple. Life is complicated enough as it is, enjoy whatever you are doing. Something I am still learning is to have belief. You have to believe in yourself, if you don’t, nobody else will. Lastly and probably the most important, don’t look back and have regrets, look back and have endless memories.
