Dolphins Cricket under-16 head coach, Dheyanka Naidoo, will jet off to Dublin to assist the head coach and also play in the Phoenix CC First XI Women's teams, while coaching the junior teams.
Naidoo, 32, of Westville, is a right-arm off-spin bowler and middle order batswoman, and will assist coach James Govan with both the women's teams of the Phoenix Cricket Club in Ireland, from April to August.
She is currently a coach for Dolphins Cricket as the Girls Pipeline Lead and U16 girls head coach.
Naidoo said she was proud to have made waves in a male-dominated sport.
“Playing cricket was one thing, but as a coach, we are definitely in the minority in terms of gender. You walk into coaches forums, conferences, courses and even Girls National Weeks and females are the minority in the room.
"Sometimes being the only girl in the room, you have to find your voice, speak your truth and back your beliefs. When I played cricket, it wasn't professional or even at a national level. It wasn't televised. There was only one National Week that you worked your whole high school career to be selected for.
"It has changed so much now for our girls and I am happy to see how serious stakeholders, investors and just people in general are taking to girls in cricket,” she said.
Naidoo bagged wins at the Girls U16 National Week in 2022 and 2024 and said it made her proud to see the culmination of her hard work over the years.
“To lift a trophy is priceless. I now take pride in watching players grow up and make older age group teams, get scholarships to university, or play for the Proteas. These are all silent victories that I can enjoy knowing I played a role in a kid's life. Captaining the Dolphins Ladies T20 team was a playing highlight for me."
She said she started playing cricket from the age of nine and joined the Crimson RHCC, based in Reservoir Hills, at 11.
"They had a girls team and asked me to join. From there my love for the sport grew and you couldn't keep me off the field. I still play club cricket for Delta CC and over the years have played at various clubs around Durban.
"I represented KZN at the U16 and U19 age group levels as well as played for the Dolphins Ladies team for the better part of 13 years. As my love for the sport grew, I wanted to give back and that's when I started to take my coaching more seriously.
"I started coaching in schools and now hold my Cricket South Africa Level 3 coaching certificate and am employed full-time at Dolphins Cricket as the Girls Pipeline Lead and u16 Girls head coach."
Naidoo said she always looked to upskill herself, whether it was with coaching courses or courses that would help her holistically within the cricketing fraternity.
“I would love to coach a professional ladies team in SA in the near future and then broaden my horizons to the world. I enjoy coaching my junior teams because they are hungry for information and their drive to succeed drives me as well. I love watching their journeys, and one day, hopefully, my growth as a coach will mirror theirs and I will be a part of a world cup winning team.”
She said her passion for cricket was sparked by her family.
“My family is cricket crazy. Both my father and grandfather played cricket and from just messing around in the backyard to taking the sport seriously, my father always encouraged me to follow my passion. My parents, Kumseela and Koobeshen, have definitely spearheaded the task of raising me right and helping me understand my offerings and how to be a good person.
"Dinesha Devnarain was one of my coaches at Dolphins Cricket and I learnt a lot from her as a player and a coach. There have been a lot of people throughout my career, who have advised me, helped me and offered me a step up. Without every single one of those club coaches, players, coaches and friends, I wouldn't be where I am today, if it were not for their support.
Naidoo’s mom, Kumseela, said her unwavering commitment and dedication to sport was an indication that anything was possible if you are committed to a goal.
“She has been an amazing mentor to countless young ladies who love cricket. Her every spare minute since she was nine-years-old has been on the cricket field.
"After graduating with a brand management degree, her passion led her to work for the cricket union where she was able to continue doing what she loves. Dheyanka is such a dedicated and sincere young lady whose innumerable amazing qualities make her a perfect, wonderful role-model for young ladies to emulate. I am reminded of a quote that resonates with Dheyanka. Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life."
Her dad, Koobeshen, said Dheyanka had worked hard to get to where she was as a cricketer and coach.
“She joined her first club as a nine-year-old and all the sacrifices she made have paid off. It was an absolute pleasure driving her to matches and training over the years. She has been an amazing daughter and ambassador for women's cricket.
"In fact, she's living my dream right now where she's getting paid to play. I bought her first bat when she was around two-years-old and we had hours of fun playing in our lounge or outside when her mum caught us. Time has flown and we are proud of her,” he said.