Hollywoodbets Dolphins ladies cricketer Courtney Gounden will take her career to new heights with a prestigious dual player-coach role at England's Sessay Cricket Club. The 23-year-old all-rounder, from Chatsworth, will take her expertise to both the club and Ampleforth College.
Gounden, from Hollywoodbets Dolphins Ladies Club at Chatsworth Sporting Club, has been playing the sport from a young age.
“I started playing cricket when I was nine-years-old. I wanted to play because my family was involved in sports. My dad used to be a professional soccer player, so you can say sport was in my genes,” she said.
Gounden started in the Bakers League.
She was later selected for the SA Women’s U19 team at age 16, and two years later, she joined the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Ladies Club.
“Being selected for the national team at such a young age was the highlight of my career thus far."
She will be joining the Sessay Cricket Club for the April season, while also coaching players at Ampleforth College.
“As per our requirements, I will be doing some cricket coaching during term time. I am excited for this new opportunity as a player and a coach. I have already been involved in coaching meetings online, making some really useful suggestions for the season ahead, in respect of both senior and junior coaching. This new adventure will bring a world of possibilities and I can't wait to show my skill but also teach it to new players.”
As an all-rounder - batter and spin bowler - she hopes other women will take a chance at the sport.
“Cricket has changed for women over the years. We are now more recognised and even though we don’t earn as well as the men, our salaries have increased. There are definitely more opportunities for us now as compared to before, so aspiring women cricketers should just go for it.”
Gounden will leave on April 16 and return in October.