Rowles scoops CSA’s top u19 award
When the CSA Pathway Awards were hosted at Emperors Palace last Thursday evening, Jason Rowles received the Cricket South Africa (CSA) u19 Men’s Player of the Year Award.
The event, which celebrates the stars of tomorrow, ran under the theme “Celebrating Greatness.”
The ceremony recognised outstanding performers across grassroots and senior amateur levels, with CSA handing out 25 trophies to honour the achievements of players, coaches, administrators, and volunteers who made remarkable contributions during the past season.
The St David’s Marist Inanda star was recognised for his superb performances for the SA Emerging u19 and the SA u19 teams.
The award was the 17-year-old Rowles’s second accolade in two months. He also took home the Telkom u18 Men’s Player of the Season Award at the Central Gauteng Lions Cricket Awards in May.
“This (CSA u19) award means so much to me. I want to thank all who have supported and believed in me over the years,” Rowles told SuperSport Schools Plus.
He edged out Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Muhammad Bulbulia (KZN Inland), and JJ Basson (Central Gauteng Lions) for the honour.
Rowles wasn’t able to accept the award in person because he was in Zimbabwe representing South Africa in an u19 Tri-Series, featuring Bangladesh u19, South Africa u19, and the hosts, Zimbabwe u19. The all-rounder celebrated his recognition with a strong all-round contribution, spinning a web on his way to a return of 3/45, and then weighing in with 41 with the bat to help South Africa to a five-wicket victory over Bangladesh.
“Jason shows you the power of dreaming big,” Jono Leaf-Wright, the Central Gauteng Lions CEO, who accepted Rowles’ award on his behalf, said.
“We encourage all the youngsters in our Lions Cricket set-up to aspire to greatness, and Jason is certainly one of those who took the message to heart. He has a great work ethic and is a very mature cricketer. I look forward to watching his bright future.”
When Rowles embarked on his cricket journey at the age of six, his talent was undeniable from the onset. However, despite his natural abilities, his success is, in part, a result of the countless hours he has poured into his game. On average, he has spent 19 hours a week honing his craft over the past 10 years.
Rowles is the embodiment of the 10 000 hours theory, first published by the Swedish scientist K. Anders Ericsson and popularised by Malcolm Gladwell in his cult classic Outliers.
However, he has not been alone on his journey. Rowles has enjoyed the guidance of outstanding coaches and the presence of a strong support system. He credits the work of Jeff Levin, the St David’s coach, and Dave Nosworthy, the school’s head of cricket, for guiding him through his young career.
The Gauteng Lions star also recognised the tireless work put in by Bongani Ntini, whom he has known and worked with since he was nine. Rowles is also fortunate to benefit from the mentorship of Dinesh Lad, the famed Indian coach, who moulded India’s former captain, Rohit Sharma, into a world beater. The teenager also leans on the advice given to him by Alex Shahim.
“I was just lucky. There are so many great players, but they chose me,” Rowles stated with the humility that has come to define the youngster.
However, as the old saying goes, fortune favours the brave. Rowles’s approach has been to chase the dream he has nursed for the past 11 years: to represent South Africa in cricket. The St David’s learner isn’t there yet. However, he is firmly on track.
“The truth is that luck grows with concentrated effort. Success isn’t just about innate talent, but the relentless pursuit of one’s goals with focus and consistency,” his mother, Tracy, said. “As a proud mother, I find inspiration in my son’s journey – a testament to the power of self-belief and determination.”
Ahmed Nawab, the Central Gauteng Lions’ u19 coach, said Rowles is one of three players – along with Kamogelo Phiri and Arman Manack – to whom an “optional training session” means a compulsory training session. They’re also known for requesting sessions when training is not scheduled.
“Jason is extremely humbled by achieving the CSA u19 Men’s Player of the Year Award – the highest accolade in a sport which he truly loves,” Robin, his father, stated.
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