Western Province Cricket Club - Rondebosch School Field

General information

CLUB HISTORY
The Western Province Cricket Club was founded in 1864. The first recorded media entry regarding the Club was on 11 October 1864 when the Cape Argus announced “A cricket match will be played at Wynberg tomorrow between two teams of the newly formed WPCC. One eleven will be composed of residents in Cape Town and Wynberg and the other of those in Claremont, Rondebosch and Diocesan College. Wickets will be pitched at 10.00 am” It must be made mention that Wynberg in the extract was Southey's Field – now Plumstead – and the club was often referred to as the Wynberg Club.

The Club paid a yearly rental of 50 pounds for Southey's Field and it is presumed that sheep grazed on the field as they did at Lords in the early days. What with the long grass, molehills and undulations of varying degree, the best way to score was to lift the ball. In those days, sixes were allowed if the ball cleared the row of trees which served as changing rooms, grandstand and score-box. Attempts were made to turf the pitch, which was on a small plateau, and in 1876 the secretary of the Club was empowered to purchase a wheelbarrow for the purpose.
An early comment on the wicket (by Cape Argus in 1867) may interest those who have had the joy of batting at Newlands “The ball, instead of bounding to an angle fairly to be calculated by the striker, as on the close knitted English turf, takes a dive into loose sand or each and emerges in uneasy and irregular gyrations”

At the annual general meeting in 1881, for the first time we find the question of a new ground being discussed, albeit informally. Early in November 1885 a sub-committee was empowered to obtain terms as to rental of ground in front of the grand stand on the Wynberg racecourse (with use of the stand) for a combined cricket cum tennis and athletic sports ground. In case this ground was found unsuitable and the sub-committee was empowered to make further inquiries with a view to obtaining a suitable and available ground.

Hearing that the owner might consider renting or selling part of Mariendal farm, which encompassed large tracks of land adjacent to Newlands station on both sides of the railway, the sub-committee made a thorough inspection of all possible sites and eventually chose Lot 27. The years have proved what a happy selection this was. The sub-committee reported that Lot 27 of Mariendal, though partly vlei and heavily wooded was the best site for a cricket ground in the vicinity of Newlands. The owner would first clear the ground and the Club was to pay a rental of 50 pounds for the year of 1887 while the ground was being prepared.

In August 2003 the Club officially opened its Sports Centre, in Rondebosch, situated approximately 1.2 km from the Members Pavilion. The Clubhouse, in the middle of the 8 hectare, park like surrounds, allows all members the full usage of the facilities on offer:
• 7 All-weather Tennis Courts, 4 of which are floodlit
• 4 Bowling Greens with a separate Clubhouse
• 1 Floodlit Hockey Astroturf
• 6 Glass backed Squash Courts, 2 of which have movable walls to create a doubles court – a first for Southern Africa
• 1 dedicated cricket oval
• 3 turf fields of which can accommodate both cricket and hockey
• An Indoor Centre, which allows for indoor cricket coaching and net facilities as well as outdoor turf and Astroturf cricket nets.

The ground floor houses Ladies and Men’s Change Rooms complete with saunas, a Kiosk and small swimming pool with braai facilities that members may use. The first floor accommodates the Members Bar and Lounge, a snooker room with two full size snooker tables, the Chairman's View for functions and the deck overlooking the Wally Wilson Field with spectacular view of the mountain.

Contact

Please find below the contact details, map and directions to the Western Province Sports Centre and Members Pavilion.

WESTERN PROVINCE CRICKET CLUB

Members Pavilion, 146 Campground Road, NEWLANDS, Cape Town | newlands ph + 27 (0) 21 657 3300 | fax + 27 (0) 21 683 2322

WPCC Sports Centre, Ave De Mist, Rondebosch | sports centre ph + 27 (0) 21 657 3330

GPS Waypoint: S33° 58′ 24″ E18° 28′ 56″ Address: WPCC Sports Centre, Ave de Mist, Newlands, Cape Town

email: members@wpcc.co.za