Voorburg Cricket Club (VCC) is thrilled to announce the signing of Gavin Kaplan for the 2024 season. An extremely exciting player with a distinguished record in both domestic cricket in South Africa and The Netherlands, Gavin will bring his expertise and leadership to VCC, setting the stage for an exciting season.
At 26, holding both South African and Lithuanian passports, Gavin currently showcases his skills for Western Province in South Africa, sharing the pitch with international stars like Tony de Zorzi, Kyle Verreynne, Beuran Hendricks, and George Linde. Since making his first-class debut in 2021, Gavin has become a versatile player across all formats for Western Province. His addition to VCC will not only elevate the club’s performance but also inspire our young cricketers. In 2022, Gavin played for HBS in the Topklasse, amassing 520 runs at an impressive average of 40.00 and taking 17 wickets at an average of 20.41. His all-around capabilities have made significant impacts, showcasing his skills with both bat and ball.
“As a club, it is fantastic to have a man of Gavin’s stature, whose quality as both a player and a coach is massively important for the development of the players within the club’s setup,” says Sybrand Engelbrecht, head of the Technical Committee of Voorburg Cricket Club. “He is a fantastic man and a great character who will integrate into the team culture and values of the club seamlessly.”
Gavin is excited to contribute to VCC both on and off the field. He is looking forward to taking a leading role in guiding VCC 1, as well as our talented youth players, fostering a culture of excellence across our youth and senior departments. “I am excited to join VCC and contribute to the club’s success. I hope to inspire and be a role model for the youth as we strive for success together,” Gavin said.
VCC remains dedicated to fostering talent and promoting cricket excellence within the Netherlands. Engaging players of Gavin’s caliber underscores our mission to provide a platform for aspiring cricketers to train, compete, and thrive amongst the best. VCC trusts Gavin’s presence will not only boost the team’s performance but also serve as an inspiration for our youth, promoting a culture of hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship.
The VCC selection squad for 2024
Following our brilliant title win last season, VCC has navigated an eventful transfer period. Musa Ahmad, Shariz Ahmad, and Sajjad Kamal have left the club. We wish them all the best in their adventures at new clubs. Karl Nieuwoudt has retired and we thank him for all his wonderful contributions to VCC over the past three seasons. Phillipe Boissevain has signed a three year deal at Canterbury in New Zealand, which will see him play only a limited number of games for VCC. Flip, thanks for all the efforts, joy, and pleasure you have brought to VCC. You will be sorely missed, but of course, we wish you all the best in New Zealand.
Despite these departures, the core of VCC 1 remains robust. We are delighted to confirm that the core group of Dutch team players: Ryan, Noah, Michael, Vivian, Sybrand, and Mees will continue playing for VCC. This season also welcomes fresh talent to our ranks. Michael Molenaar, who played in the Dutch U19 side last summer, will join the club. The team is further enriched by local players such as Floris, Jacobus, Nehaan, Nirav, Stijn and Steffen alongside other promising young players, ready to make their mark.
Adding to our excitement, last week we proudly announced the return of Usman Malik. His leadership will be invaluable as he takes the helm of our talented yet youthful second team, guiding them towards growth and success.
This squad is an exciting blend of experience and fresh talent, and we think VCC is poised for another exciting season. Our squad’s depth and diversity are our strengths, as we aim to build on last year’s achievements and reach new heights in 2024!