As the U19 Women chase glory at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Malaysia 2025, on the technical bench sits four fierce former players that are now coaches in different capacities leading South Africa’s next stars.
Prior to the second edition of this showpiece in Southeast Asia, Cricket South Africa announced Dinesha Devnarain, Trisha Chetty, Marcia Letsoalo, and Angelique Taai as the team set to impart knowledge and lessons to the youngsters.
A statement from CSA read:
“With the team aiming to improve on their inaugural performance and go all the way in this year’s tournament, the coaching staff’s wealth of experience and expertise is proving to be a vital asset as they prepare to chase greatness on the world stage.”
Cricket South Africa Statement
Head Coach, Dinesha Devnarain, there for the second time, echoed this sentiment: “It is a massive honour and privilege to head up the SA U19 Women for the second time. Working with the 2023 and 2025 groups has given me the opportunity to see what’s coming next for women’s cricket and to holistically represent the Women’s Proteas brand.
“We’ve placed a strong focus on building a cohesive leadership team, aligning with our philosophy of playing an aggressive yet calculated brand of cricket that mirrors the Proteas Women.”
Proteas U19 Women’s Cricket Head Coach, Dinesha Devnarain
Joining Devnarain is fielding coach, Trisha Chetty, who’s also a DP World Lions Women’s high-performance wicket keeping coach previously donned the green and gold for the senior women’s national team since 2007 until March 2023.
She says she was incredibly grateful when she got the call up: “Being part of the journey leading up to the World Cup and then actually being involved in a World Cup after retiring was surreal. It’s a privilege to witness the next generation of stars in action and to play a role in their development. To continue doing what I love—even after retirement—is something I truly cherish.”
The veteran wicketkeeper-batter, who made over 200 international appearances, adds the transition from player to coach hasn’t been easy. “It’s definitely been a challenge, but one that I’ve embraced. Every day is a learning curve, and I’m growing from working alongside other experienced coaches.”
“I have a wealth of knowledge from my playing days, and it’s rewarding to share that with the younger generation. That said, I do miss being on the field as a player, but I’m taking it one day at a time and enjoying this new chapter.”
Proteas U19 Women’s Cricket Fielding Coach, Trisha Chetty
Chetty is confident we are heading in a right direction in terms producing the future stars of SA. “The talent in the U19 setup is phenomenal! We are definitely heading in the right direction.”
“Platforms like the CSA National Weeks are instrumental in identifying and nurturing these young players, helping them transition into professional cricket. The future of South African cricket looks bright with these stars coming through the system.”
To mitigate travel costs and play Cricket for the Atteridgeville Women’s Cricket Club while studying, Matshipi Marcia Letsoalo started coaching the U13 and U16 buddying women cricketers. That’s when Marcia the coach was born, in fact Proteas Women Delmi Tucker is one of her U13 proteges. Fast forward to today, she’s also one of the formidable former players coaching SA’s team in Malaysia.
Her role on the technical bench is Team Manager.
“As the team manager for the U19 women’s team, my primary role is to ensure that all logistical aspects of the tournament are handled smoothly, allowing the players and coaching staff to focus on performance. This includes coordinating travel arrangements, managing schedules, and facilitating communication between players and coaches.”
Proteas U19 Women’s Cricket Team Manager, Marcia Letsoalo
“I work closely with the coaching staff to align our goals and ensure that the players are well-prepared both mentally and physically. By fostering an open line of communication, we are able to address any concerns promptly, which significantly boost team morale. On this journey I have also learned that a supportive environment can significantly enhance performance, and I carry these lessons with me in all my future endeavours.”
In 2007 Letsoalo joined the Proteas Women’s team’s bowling department, making history by becoming the first black African in the setup. She is also dubbed the mother of the “Repetition until Perfection” philosophy.
She elaborates: “The philosophy of ‘repetition until perfection’ emphasises the importance of practice and persistence in achieving mastery. It suggests that through consistent effort and repetition, one can refine their skills and ultimately reach a level of excellence.
“My journey with this philosophy began during my early career when I was learning a complex skill. I realised that simply understanding the theory wasn’t enough; I needed to apply it repeatedly to truly grasp it.”
“For instance, when I was training in my field, I would practice specific techniques over and over, which not only built my confidence but also significantly improved my performance. Embracing ‘repetition until perfection’ has profoundly impacted my work,” says Letsoalo. “I believe this philosophy can foster a culture of continuous improvement within teams. By encouraging team members to embrace repetition, we create an environment where learning from mistakes is valued, and everyone feels empowered to strive for excellence together.”
As a person who has deep understanding of women’s cricket in South Africa, its history, shortcomings and successes, coach Marcia is adamant adequate progress has been made in growing women’s cricket in the country.
“I believe significant progress has been made in growing women’s cricket in South Africa over the past few years. Initiatives aimed at increasing visibility and support for the women’s game have gained momentum, leading to greater participation at grassroots levels and improved performance on the international stage.”
“For instance, the establishment of professional contracts for women cricketers has been a game-changer. This not only provides financial stability for players but also elevates the status of women’s cricket within the broader cricketing community. Additionally, the success of our national team in international competitions has helped to inspire a new generation of female cricketers.
“As a former player, I am passionate about seeing this growth continue. I believe that by fostering a supportive environment and encouraging young girls to take up the sport, we can build a strong foundation for the future of women’s cricket in South Africa.”
As the sport continues to flourish she adds more can still be done. “To increase participation, we need to ensure that cricket is accessible to girls in every township and suburb. This means providing the necessary resources, such as equipment and facilities, in schools and local communities. Collaborating with organisations like Cricket South Africa to set up cricket programs in under-resourced areas can help bridge this gap.
“By focusing on accessibility, creating inclusive programs, leveraging role models, engaging schools, and fostering a supportive culture, we can significantly increase the number of girls participating in cricket across South Africa. I am committed to being part of this movement and believe that with collective effort, we can inspire the next generation of female cricketers.”
Lastly, and certainly not least, the fourth member of the formidable four is Angelique Taai, the team’s bowling coach, also the current coach of the Dolphins. An exceptional player in her days, she says being part of this journey is a rewarding experience.
“I have a sense of pride and responsibility being part of the team that plays a crucial role in developing young talent in the country. The opportunity to work with these aspiring athletes is inspiring, as I witness their growth and passion for the sport.
Proteas U19 Women’s Cricket Bowling Coach, Angelique Taai
“Collaborating with other coaches and support staff fosters a sense of teamwork and camaraderie, as everyone works towards a common goal of nurturing the next generation of cricketers. Being part of the U19 Proteas Women Technical Team is a fulfilling journey, combining my passion for cricket with the opportunity to make a positive impact on young athletes’ lives.”
With the competition underway we’ve already seen the likes of Nthabiseng Nini produce match winning figures. Taai describes the work they’ve done to prepare the bowlers ahead of the showpiece.
“Developing the bowlers involves a comprehensive approach that encompasses skill training, physical conditioning, mental preparation, and providing opportunities for practice and competition,” says Taai.
“Strategies such as skills development, Mental training, physical conditioning, amongst many more was covered, and this will continue to ensure effectively nurturing and developing of talented female bowlers, contributing to the growth and success of women’s cricket holistically. I am confident that these aspects were covered in the preparation leading into the World Cup.”
The U19s players will want to make sure that they put their hands up for places in the senior team, just as players like Karabo Meso have done. The coaches too will be aiming to not just focus on the ongoing tournament but to also build players of the future.
“To ensure that the senior Proteas women’s cricket team is consistently fed with quality players, several measures can be implemented across various levels of the sport. Amongst many others, grassroots development, proper talent identification programs, quality coaching and training, competitive pathways,” says Taai. “And many more measures will allow the Proteas women’s cricket team to be able to cultivate a steady flow of skilled and competitive players, ensuring the team remains strong and successful in international cricket.”
We wish the four coaches, everyone involved in the SA U19s behind the scenes and the team all the best in Malaysia.
Main Photo Caption: The Formidable Four Former Proteas Legends on the technical bench for the SA U19 Women’s T20 World Cup are (from left) Trisha Chetty, Marcia Letsoalo, Dinesha Devnarain, Marcia Letsoalo and Angelique Taai. All Photos: Cricket SA
Photo 2 Caption: Modern-day Proteas U19 Women’s Cricket Bowling Coach, Angelique Taai is pictured celebrating a wicket during her playing days.
Photo 3 Caption: Former SA wicketkeeper Trisha Chetty is pictured running to congratulate Marcia Letsoalo on her wicket in this file photo.
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
