Sport

Snyders voted Free State Cricket president

Xander Snyders was elected as the new president of Free State Cricket during the unions’ 128th annual general meeting (AGM) held on Monday evening.

Zola Thamae was voted vice-president (Discipline/Governance/HR), Warren Boyes vice-president for cricket affairs and Jeff Mosala will serve as vice-president for treasurer.

Snyders was unopposed for the position of president.

The board will expand from seven members to nine, with the newly-appointed structures to be confirmed after the first council meeting following the AGM.

Nokuzola Patience Thamae stepped down after seven years of leadership.

“I would like to thank the Board of Directors, Members Council, players, technical officials, and personnel for the healthy relationship in taking the organisation forward. At times we have had to take unpopular decisions and have robust discussions for the advancement of the organisation,” noted Thamae.

“Without the wisdom and vision of everybody, my task for the past seven years would have been extremely difficult. Let me also appreciate the overwhelming support we have received from our sponsors in the name of VKB, Magnisan, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, OFM, SA Breweries, Distell, and Twizza for without their support in the currently distressed economy we wouldn’t have made it,” she said.

Thamane also extended word of gratitude to CEO, Johan Van Heerden, for his sound and strong leadership skills. She called on the leadership to afford the newly appointed president the same support afforded to her during her tenure.

Congratulating her successor, Thamae said, “We wish you all the best and urge every sub-union, affiliate, and staff member to give you the same support that I was given during my term, and with no doubt, I believe you will continue to carry the union forward.”

Snyders said he was honoured to serve with the newly-appointed members council, extending a word of thanks for the trust bestowed upon him by the affiliates to lead-Free State Cricket.

“Hard work awaits us all as we need to revive cricket after the COVID-19 period. I do not doubt that as a team we will work hard to further strengthen development and transformation. It is an absolute honor for me to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors such as Ewie Cronje, John Blair, Carl van Heerden, Charlie Robinson, Leon Crawley, and Zola Thamae.”

Xander’s love for cricket started at school level. He matriculated in 1987 from Bloemfontein HTS where he played cricket for their first team.

From there he continued playing the sport he loved at various club levels. He was appointed as secretary for Bloemfontein Cricket Association and was also actively involved with Correctional Services as chairman, team manager and coach for their national team.

Since then he has served as chairperson of the Bloemfontein Cricket Association, vice-president of Free State Cricket Union, and director of the Central Cricket Franchise.

A further indication for his love for the sport is the work he has done as a freelance sports journalist for the past 12 years for Radio Rosestad, OFM, and Varsity Cup Rugby.

By: Thapelo Molebatsi