For more than two decades, Sport at Backward Point has been bringing schoolchildren and adults together through a growing programme of sporting festivals. What began as an ambitious sporting initiative has steadily expanded over the years, attracting ever-increasing numbers and earning a reputation for successful, well-organised events.
The number of visitors for 2026 alone has amounted to just short of 9500 and local businesses inform us that this has led to repeat visitors to our fine town besides what they spend during the festivals.
An absolute Legend in our region, and the soon to retire CEO of Sport at Backward point, Keith Cretchley, has decided that it is time to hang up his boots and hand the reins over to another Knysna stalwart and accomplished sportsman, David Pryke.
Keith recalls that, from the very outset in 1994, their mission has been to provide meaningful sport for the children from all local communities and beyond, whatever their level of ability. Paging through photos from the early days, he proudly shows how bush was cleared, pitches built from scratch and facilities built to host weekly fixtures as well as festivals in the Village of Rheenendal.
Forever the philanthropist, Keith has always ensured that there has been a development facet to everything that they have put their minds to and more often than not, the community has put its hand up to support those less privileged.
Keith adds, “The greater Knysna have appreciated the immense business that our Festivals have brought to the community, not only as far as accommodation and entertainment is concerned, but also the many other needs of our visitors who return time and time again as their children grow. “
The multi-talented Dave Pryke, who is not only a qualified school master and provincial sports coach, but also a qualified horticulturist, more than adequately covers all bases to fill the accomplished void left by Keith to continue the incredible legacy of Sport at Backward Point.
Dave feels that, as an educator who has dedicated his life to sport and the life skills sporting disciplines bring to young children and adults alike, he would like to focus on upholding the legacy that Sport at Backward Point has created.
“Many people are not aware of the significant number of sporting teams that are attracted to Knysna through our numerous sporting festivals and tour groups that frequent the area.”
In conjunction with the handover, the organisation is preparing for what promises to be its biggest gathering yet. The upcoming 100 Cricket Series is expected to bring together an extraordinary number of cricketers, with the organisers confidently claiming that it could be the largest gathering of its kind anywhere in the world. The total attraction of visitors to Knysna will be in excess of 3800 – all hungry and looking for a place to sleep. Before we even consider the extended visitors as a result of the Series, the direct participant spend, not including tournament fees, will bring approximately R5 500 000 to Knysna business.
Beverley Pothier, chairperson of the Greater Knysna Business Chamber is very supportive of this event:
“The Greater Knysna Business Chamber is pleased to endorse the upcoming 100 Cricket Series hosted by Sport at Backward Point. Events of this nature create valuable sporting opportunities for young people from diverse communities while attracting visiting teams, families and supporters to the greater Knysna area. The resulting benefit to local accommodation providers, restaurants, retailers and other businesses demonstrates the important role that well-organised sporting festivals play in strengthening our community and local economy. We commend the organisers for their continued commitment to youth development and wish them every success with the event”.
Lungiswa Goya, the Manager at Economic Development echoes these sentiments:
“From a Local Economic Development perspective, the 100 Cricket Series is more than a sporting event but a valuable sport-tourism opportunity for Greater Knysna. By bringing teams, families and supporters into the area for several days, the event generates spending across accommodation, restaurants, retail and other local businesses.
While the figures are indicative rather than a formal economic-impact assessment, they clearly demonstrate the potential contribution of sporting events to tourism, youth development and the local economy. As Economic Development and Visit Knysna we welcome initiatives that create both social and economic opportunities for Greater Knysna.”
Dave continues, “Not only does this afford our youth the opportunity to play sport, many of them from disadvantaged areas at no cost, but it brings to the greater Knysna area a festive gathering of families from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and further afield.”
We wish these two fine gentlemen all of the very best with the changing of the guard, in the knowledge that Sport at Backward Point is in fine hands going forward, and that it will keep the business clock of our community ticking on…and ticking strong.
