“Let me start by quoting from one of the Devon tour brochures: ‘When the Devon Cricket tour first ventured into the wilds of South Africa during 2002, few could have imagined the enduring bond that would form between a group of young cricketers from England and a community nestled within the Kruger Narional Park’. This would never have been possible if it wasn't for the persistence of one individual – Alan Swift. 

“My first encounter with Alan was not alongside the cricket field, but in a bus. I met a fuming British gentleman, whose camera had just gone missing from the bus the team was traveling in. As soon as he had calmed down I heard, for the first time in my life, the phrase ‘it is what it is’. Needless to say it was not a good start to a cricket tour in the wild.

“Soon I found Alan to be one of the most effective managers I have ever met. Constantly checking and double checking that arrangements are in place and perfect, managing the ‘troops’ with the perfection of submarine commander (with apologies to Gavin Lane). Although on a lighter note, managing himself seemed to have been a challenge sometimes.

‘I could never have envisaged that the Devon under-15 tour would became a permanent fixture and definitely the highlight of the Lowfeld Schools Cricket season. Not only was Alan committed to the tour, but also played a valuable role in Lowfeld Cricket with coaching clinics and equipment.

Alan will remain synonymous with Devon Youth Cricket to us and the South African tour. The ‘Battle for Kruger’became a tradition which will hopefully never fade.

With Alan's absence from the tour for quite a few years now, I have missed our light-hearted arguments on many a topic including what he named as ‘strange South African idioms and beliefs’. 

The space Alan filled is empty now, but he will remain in our memories and hearts as a legend and he will be dearly missed.

Frik Rossouw
Anti-Poaching crime scene investigations lead for South Africa National Parks
and groundsman at Skukuza CC

“Alan Swift, my dear friend. We celebrate not just a life lived, but a life that changed and positively impacted so many young lives here in Cape Town, South Africa.

“We shared a passion for sport, especially cricket and education. Alan was driven to make a difference in the development of young cricketers into holistic and contributing human beings. It was an endearing passion that saw Alan exude unusual energy to ensure the success of this development exchange programme. 

“Successful he was, with no fewer than 42 (South African) cricketers playing in Devon under his protective and mentoring watch between 2002 and 2012. 

“When visa rules made it difficult to continue the programme, Alan was angered by these developments and, for a year, wrote to immigration authorities and various political figures to try to have this changed, sadly to no avail.

“Many of these young cricketers went on to become First-Class cricketers, while four went on to represent South Africa.

“I met Alan at Edgbaston in 2001 when he discussed initiating and implementing a tour of the Devon under-15 boys to South Africa, a tour which is now a legacy of Alan Swift and will enter its 24th year in 2026, now led by Matt Theedom and Matt Cooke, whom he so ably mentored.

“His visits to Cape Town over those many years ensured a friendship filled with stories, knowledge, wisdom, and fun. We shared discussions on politics, education, and cricket and, most importantly, although we could differ quite markedly at times, it was always respectful and dignified.

“Alan was very clear about his position on most topics, and his wit, which many often did not immediately grasp, was nothing short of remarkable. I will always remember how, on tour, he would tell me to select strong sides because a few losses for the boys would be good for their development.

“When someone you respect and love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure. Alan, you have left me with many treasures. May your dear soul rest in eternal peace. You will be sorely missed.”

Nabeal Dien
Former Western Province Cricket Association chief executive

“I played under Alan when he was second team captain at Plymouth. He was an astute captain and a gritty player. Alan took over coach education from John Stevens and I did my level one with him. Later I took on Devon under-15s from Alan. 

“The thing with Alan was he seemed to know everyone – he had contacts – and that is how we got the Kruger Park connection to the tour. Anything Alan did was well-organised. When I started running a tour for Plymouth College I copied everything Alan had done because it worked so well.

Jon Mears
Plymouth CC, Devon youth coach, South African tour coach

“I first met Alan at the Devon Cricket Centre in 2001 when I undertook a coaching course – he was an assessor. He had charisma, great knowledge that he could impart simply and clearly, and he had a good eye for natural sportsmen. 

“We got to know each other through cricket. Subsequently he asked me to help with his tour to South Africa for the Devon under-15s. A great initiative that reflected Alan’s innate ‘bartering skills’, getting people to willingly help him achieve the aim.

“From the start the tour provided an outstanding route for young boys to be tested in demanding and fascinating circumstances and, for some, to discover the desire, fortitude and stamina to achieve success in the First Class game. 

“The tours also provided the catalyst for the formation of the Devon Youth Cricket Foundation – later the David Shepherd Cricket Trust – the idea being to raise funds to support youth cricket in Devon. 

“Alan’s gentle persuasion, coherent argument and determination struck a chord with many parents, and through them the Foundation/Trust flourished and its success helped to encourage many youngsters into the game, as well as women.

“Alan was always robust, even forthright in his view. He valued his friends and was always eager to support and help young people. Ill health in his later years did not stop his interest, but an inability to articulate must have been a severe burden for him. 

“Cared for with great devotion and love by his wife Hilary, Alan was a key figure in the success of Devon Youth Cricket in Devon over the last 30 years or more. The tour that he started continues and in my mind is a pretty good way to remember him.

Gavin Lane

Coach, DACO umpire, David Shepherd Cricket Trust treasurer, Royal Navy CC

“Alan was a brave maverick who created something very special and unique in the South Africa Tour. 

“The tour has given hundreds of lucky 15-year-old Devonians an incredible experience at a formative time in their lives. All achieved thanks to Alan's bloody-minded perseverance, determination and sense of humour.

“A great man and I feel very lucky to have known him and experienced the tour over the years as a parent, scorer and manager.”

Mark Ansell

South African tour manager 2016-2020

“Alan was positively pugnacious and once he set his mind to something he was terrier-like in making it happen.

“The Devon Youth Cricket Foundation is an example. Without Alan as the catalyst it would not have happened. He identified what coaching objectives he wanted to achieve then, cleverly, stepped back and, brought in a group of us to use our business experience to develop it.

“The South Africa tour was another example of Alan making things happen. It was the gestation for so many young players’ cricket.”

Richard Wyatt-Haines

Devon Youth Cricket Foundation, David Shepherd Cricket Trust

“My first encounter with Alan was in the early 1990s. I had just become the regional cricket development officer for the (then) National Cricket Association. Through funding from the regional Sports Council, and a sponsorship from Sun Life of Canada, we started something called the Plymouth Cricket Project. The project had some fairly simple aims: provide winter coaching sessions for children, qualify more cricket coaches in the Plymouth area and create routes from those winter coaching sessions into local cricket clubs.

“As you can probably guess, the first person to stick their head above the parapet was Alan Swift. Alan managed much of that project for me with his usual brand of humour, determination and skill. It ran for a number of years and several visits to see Alan, and Hilary, at their home. We became firm friends.

“It wasn't long before the National Cricket Association and the Test & County Cricket Board morphed into the ECB and my role took me away from development matters within the south-west region. However, the friendship remained as did the opportunities to meet.

“Looking back at those early days, I can honestly say that I learned a lot from working with Alan, and his influence helped to shape my work going forward. I left ECB back in 2012 and, although we exchanged Christmas cards every year, it still came as quite a shock today to learn of Alan's passing. 

“I'll always remember Alan for his humour, hard work and real devotion to cricket. My thoughts go out to Hilary and his many friends. His legacy to the game burns bright and he was a true servant of the game.”

Ed Leverton

Former NCA/ECB development officer, Secretary Tolchards DCL

“During our involvement at Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club we always looked forward to ‘Swifty’s’ annual, evening phone call each winter. His question was always ‘will you take a Western Province youngster this season?’ Our reply was always ‘only if he's a good one!.

“Alan was a dedicated local cricket administrator. He was always friendly, fun and positive. Without his commitment Western Province players would have been denied the opportunity to develop their skills in UK conditions.

“Our thoughts and condolences go to all Alan's family and friends.”

God bless you ‘Swifty’.

Malcolm & Jo Baker

Former chairman, Budleigh Salterton CC

 

Such a loss to Devon, a passionate individual who gave so much to Devon youth cricket in particular and asked for nothing. 

My two sons, James and Alex, were both fortunate to play for Alan in the county side. I remember as though only yesterday Devon playing Yorkshire and Surrey in the under-15 National Finals at Oundle School, where I was able to support Alan and his team in some small measure by driving the team minibus. 

Perhaps my overriding memory of Alan was his passion for developing cricket in State Schools. He was determined to try and give as many young people as possible to gain access to a ‘have’ that was deeply embedded within him. It would be remiss of me not to mention Alan’s wife, Hilary who also was a big part of all my children’s lives as she taught all three at Boringdon Primary School. 

Alan will be a great loss. But I am fortunate to have so many fond memories of both Alan and Hilary.

RIP ‘Swifty’

Warren Carr
Talent Scout ECB (women and girls)

[O] Alan Swift’s funeral will take place at St Werburgh’s Church, Wembury (11am) on Thursday, March 12. The wake follows at Staddon Heights Golf Club