Children from Banakekeleni Orphanage cricket team overjoyed at surprise visit

Former South African cricketer Neil McKenzie surprised the children at Banakekeleni HIV/AIDS Orphanage in Marlboro when he paid their newly-started cricket team a visit to deliver new KFC Mini-Cricket kit courtesy of KFC South Africa.

McKenzie stayed on to do a little one-on-one coaching with the 8 children who comprise Banakekeleni’s cricket team during which time he shared some of the secrets he’s learned over the course of his cricketing career that made him the player he is today.

McKenzie handed over KFC Mini-Cricket sets (made up of bats, balls and stumps) and KFC branded shirts, shorts and socks to the value of R 4,000.

The idea to try and source cricket equipment for the Banakekeleni children came from Helen Fraser, the director of the Nashua Children’s Charity Foundation (NCCF).

“The NCCF has been providing aid to Banakekeleni since 2003 in the form of a monthly grocery shop that we do for the kids, bedding and linen that we have supplied and basic renovations to their buildings as well as educational toys, books and stationery,” said Fraser.

“As such, we have come to know the children at Banakekeleni well over the years which was why I found it strange one day when I visited the orphanage and found the boys in the middle of an impromptu cricket game. These kids are completely soccer-mad and yet there they were playing cricket with wooden planks for bats, an overturned paint drum for a wicket and a few pairs of tightly rolled up socks for a ball.”

Helen soon learned that a young adolescent boy named Kamvalethu Mzinzi , a KES pupil who loves cricket and has been coached in the past by KES old boy and South African cricket captain Graeme Smith, had been visiting the orphanage daily and teaching the kids how to play during his school holidays.

Helen was so impressed by the Banakekeleni boys’ enthusiasm to play cricket that she immediately got on the phone to Faf du Plessis to ask him to assist, which he willingly did by putting Helen in contact with the KFC Mini-Cricket team whose mandate is to keep kids active and develop their cricket skills from an early age.

“Over 104 000 kids from 4,700 schools participating in the programme is true testament to Cricket South Africa and KFC South Africa’s commitment to getting kids active through cricket and as a result it is only right that we also give the kids from Banakekeleni HIV/AIDS Orphanage an equal opportunity to get active,” said Lauren Turnbull KFC South Africa’s CSR and Sponsorship manager.

The next step was to try to get a famous South African cricketer to meet with the boys and do the handover. Faf had originally agreed to do the handover, but was unable to avail himself due to his commitments with the Proteas.

Helen called up Neil McKenzie, a long-time supporter of the NCCF, to see if he’d be willing to do it and he replied immediately saying he’d be happy to meet with the boys, do the handover and spend an hour or so coaching them one-on-one.

The result was a day that the aspiring young cricket stars at Banakekeleni will never forget and one in which the hardships of their daily lives were left by the side of their makeshift cricket pitch as they spent the afternoon doing what they love.

Eric Nxumalo High School represented Mpumalanga Province at the 2013 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup National Finals

Eric Nxumalo High School of Thulamahashe, near Mbombela represented the Mpumalanga province at the 2013 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup national finals and the school is one of the first to get its entry in for the 2014 competition.

Mr Sibusiso Mahlalela, the team manager, explains that they were fortunate to be declared provincial champions last year after East High was disqualified, and they are keen to make it on their own merits this time around.

"It was very close last year, we lost on penalties in the provincial final, and I think we were the better team anyway,” Mahlalela said.

The school won R100 000 to spend on projects at the school and in the local community and they will be using the money to develop a soccer pitch. "Currently our soccer field is an empty patch of ground and we want to turn this into a proper pitch," Mahlalela said. "Winning this money will make things a whole lot easier for our players as playing on a grass pitch is a whole lot better than playing on an open field that’s not safe. Construction has not begun yet, but hopefully it will start soon."

Mahlalela believes playing in the national finals last year is definitely an advantage. "We have the experience now, and my focus this year will be to change my coaching style and focus more on shooting, dribbling and defending skills. That's what I learnt in Durban last year after watching schools like Clapham, Rosina Sedibane and Louis Botha who have perfected those 3 skills."

The season hasn't started yet, so it's difficult to predict how they are going to do, Mahlalela says. "We will hold trials within the next couple of weeks to finalise our squad. We only have 2 players from last year, and for our under-17s moving up to under-19 it will be a huge adjustment," he said. "We do not have an easy task ahead of us, but we will rise to the challenge."

Canon Simango will be the coach of the team again this year. He has been coaching the school's under-19 team for a long time and knows how this tournament works.

"He knows all the schools in the area – their strengths and weaknesses and he is the ideal person to get the team through the cluster level to the regional finals," Mahlalela said. "He does not have any formal qualifications and his aim within the next couple of years is to get this certificate as this will put us at an advantage. Qualifications work hand in hand with having the experience and love of the game."

“Working with school students is always a challenge,” explains Mahlalela.  “They don't show up on time for practise and the lack of equipment; soccer balls and gym equipment is a problem.  We might not have what other school have, but this does not deter us from our goal," Mahlalela said.

He applauds Sanlam for the work they are doing and giving the youngsters fantastic opportunities. "The players must make sure that they use this opportunity to showcase their football skills to anyone who makes time to come and watch them play during the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup."

Past winners register for the 2014 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup

Most of the 2013 Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup provincial winners have already registered to compete in the tournament again this year and the playing fields are equal as most will compete with teams of which the majority will be new players.  Title holders and Gauteng provincial champions, Clapham High School, as well as Benny’s Sports Academy from Limpopo believe their new recruits will do the job for them again this year

“We have lost six players from last year’s group,” said Rhulani Mokoena, who will remain as coach of the team.  “But we have a number of players who will be making their debuts for us including Ntando Ngubane, an 18 year-old striker in grade 11, who originally comes from KwaZulu-Natal, and Motjeka Madisha, an 18 year-old defender in grade 11, originally from Limpopo.  Both play for Sundowns in the Vodacom League. The experience the boys get from competing in the League sets them apart from the rest of the players as they compete against good clubs from which they can learn.”

The coaching department will be boosted this year with the inclusion of Mike Manzini who has a successful career playing for Sundowns from 1995 to 2009 and played for Bafana Bafana in 1999. “Sundowns have given me additional assistance which will also help us in our quest to retain the title,” said Mokoena.

Limpopo provincial winners for the past three years, Benny’s Sports Development Academy, has also registered to compete again.  “As soon as the first term starts each year one of the first things we do is register for the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup,” said David Mufamadi.  The school has been successful in the tournament since 2010.    “We have won the provincial finals three times and the R300 000 we won has made a significant difference to my school.  We have new sports equipment and have renovated our school hall, entrance and the hostels.  We plan to defend our title this year and go a step further and finish in the first four positions.”

Being a business owner comes with responsibilities and challenges.  “Sanlam is the best sponsor for this tournament as we are all aware of what the company does (long term insurance) and we are reminded all the time that we should be investing in our futures,” said Mufamadi.  “I encourage all my students to think entrepreneurial so that they can go out and open their own businesses like I have done.”

Benny’s has only four players from 2013 still in the team.  “With 10 new players the pressure is on.  Although they have experienced playing in tough competitions, playing at the under-19 level is challenging as the style is more aggressive and the pace is fast.  They need to adapt to this quickly hence

our training has already started,” said Mufamadi. Like Clapham, Benny’s has identified their stickers as playing a key role in their team this year.

Registration closes on 17 March and the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA) is encouraging all schools to contact them and register and get a slice of the R3.4 million on offer in prize money.

Barclays Premier League Trophy Inspires Football Coaches At the Khayelitsha Football For Hope Centre

The coveted Barclays Premier League Trophy was the centre of attention in Khayelitsha’s Football for Hope Centre near Cape Town today as Barclays reaffirmed its financial commitment to the Grassroot Soccer (GRS) South Africa Coach Development Programme run in conjunction with Barclays Spaces for Sports.

The programme, delivered for Barclays by Grassroots Soccer, goes far beyond the fields of football. Over 190 GRS coaches between the ages of 18 and 30, who worked with over 39 000 youth in their communities in 2013, have been empowered through training focused on employability and financial literacy skills over the past year. The aim of the project is to encourage all people to live healthy and productive lives through the medium of sport and to embody good citizenship in their respective communities.

The Grassroot Soccer development courses are enhanced by additional hands-on experience as well as offering mentoring and voluntary apprenticeships. Khayelitsha has been one of the successful areas of the programme, with 35 of the 190 coach intake over the past year, hailing from this community in the Western Cape.

Bafana Bafana legend that played for Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic during his playing career in the Barclays Premier League, Mark Fish, accompanied the Barclays Premier League trophy to inspire those present.  Said Fish:  “Good citizenship should be a part of everyday life and it is key that people understand the importance of life skills such as entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Even footballers can’t play football forever, and it is crucial to have some sort of business acumen to fall back on when one’s playing days are over. Barclays needs to be commended for taking this empowering step towards creating a brighter future and for striving to make a difference in communities through this programme.”

Chris Barkley, Grassroot Soccer Director of Business Development & Strategy said: “From a Grassroot Soccer perspective, we are very grateful for the support Barclays provides this project both here in South Africa as well as in Zambia and Zimbabwe. We have no doubt that the fruits of this success story will see many of these people put through the programme, going on to take advantage of high-level employment or educational opportunities in the near future.”

The programme, funded by Barclays through the Barclays Spaces for Sports programme, has made a positive and meaningful impact over the past 12 months, according to Gideon Serfontein, Head of Citizenship at Barclays Africa. “Our community investment will continue to focus on helping to create sustainable local communities in which people are empowered to shape a positive future for themselves and their families, and are able to make a meaningful contribution to their local economy. In doing so, we partner with public benefit organisations such as Grassroot Soccer that achieve development goals through viable, innovative and sustainable skills programmes, thus allowing communities to prosper.”

End.

For further queries, please contact:

Dante Mashile, CPRP

Vice President Group Media Relations

Mobile: +27 72 605 1623

E-mail: dante.mashile@absa.co.za

Notes to Editors:

Barclays Spaces for Sports:

Citizenship at Barclays is about three things: how we contribute to growth in the real economy; the way we do business; and supporting our communities through investment programmes and the direct efforts of our employees. Barclays Spaces for Sports is a community-based sports programme, which uses sport as a platform to help young people develop life skills and revitalise disadvantaged communities in a sustainable way. In partnership with the Football Foundation, Barclays has delivered 200 physical sports site used by 53,000 people in disadvantaged areas in the UK.

The programme has also invested in 15 innovative sports-for-development programmes around the world. Spaces for Sports is part of Barclays wider 5 Million Young Futures commitment to invest not only money, but employees’/colleagues’ time and expertise in community programmes that enhance the enterprise, employability and financial skills of disadvantaged young people aged 10 to 35 years, by 2015.

To find out more please visit www.barclays.com/spacesforsports

About Barclays Africa Group

Barclays Africa Group Limited (Barclays Africa or the Group), is listed on the JSE Limited and is one of Africa’s largest financial services groups. We are uniquely positioned as a fully global, fully regional and fully local bank. We combine our global product knowledge with regional expertise and our extensive and well-established local presence in Africa to serve our customers and clients even better.  The Group offers personal and business banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management as well as bancassurance.

Our Group was formed by combining Absa Group Limited and majority of Barclays Africa operations on 31 July 2013. Reflecting the enlarged group’s pan-African focus, our name changed from Absa Group Limited to Barclays Africa Group Limited on 2 August 2013.

At 31 December 2013, we had 847,8 million shares in issue and a market capitalisation of R112,1 billion. We operate in 12 countries and have 11,8 million customers, total assets of R959,6 billion; 10 780 automated teller machines, 1 314 branches and 42 400 permanent employees.

Our registered head office is in Johannesburg, South Africa and we have majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Barclays Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia. We also have representative offices in Namibia and Nigeria. Our bancassurance operations are in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia.  Barclays Bank Kenya and Barclays Bank Botswana continue to be listed on their respective stock exchanges. In addition to the entities listed in this legal structure, Barclays Bank PLC has operations in Egypt and Zimbabwe which are an integral part of our African business and continue to be run by Barclays Africa Group operationally.

Barclays Premier League and Bafana Bafana legend Mark Fish shows that he has lost none of his football skills, during an on-pitch session at the Grassroot Soccer (GRS) South Africa Coach Development Programme run in conjunction with Barclays Spaces for Sports, in Khayelitsha, near Cape Town, on Friday, 21 February 2014. Photo: Backpagepix

Barclays Premier League trophy in Khayelitsha: Barclays Premier League and Bafana Bafana legend Mark Fish (second from right, was on hand to inspire a host of coaches who have completed the first year curriculum at the Grassroot Soccer (GRS) South Africa Coach Development Programme run in conjunction with Barclays Spaces for Sports, in Khayelitsha, near Cape Town, on Friday, 21 February 2014. Pictured along with Fish are (from left) Chris Barkley (Grassroot Soccer Director of Business Development & Strategy), Tony Gubesa (Master Coach, Grassroot Soccer), Gideon Serfontein (Head of Citizenship, Barclays Africa) and Programme Director Carol Tshabalala. Photo: Backpagepix

Capricorn High School competes for outside gym

Capricorn High School, Polokwane, Limpopo was one of the schools that competed in the Coca-Cola® 30 Minute Heroes Challenge, a competition introduced to schools participating in the Coca-Cola® T20 schools Cricket Challenge and aimed at getting learners to participate in physical activity. 

The concept encourages as many learners as possible to complete a five drill circuit within a 30 minute period. The scores will only be made public once all schools have completed their challenge.  The school that completes the most circuits in the allotted time frame stands a chance to win a prize of an outdoor gym to the value of two hundred thousand rand, which will be installed at the winning school.

“What a fantastic set-up! The Coca-Cola® 30 Minute Heroes Challenge intrigued many learners who originally were not interested in getting involved,” said Kobus De Meyer, Head of Sport.  “The activities were so challenging and enjoyable that the cricket boys asked me if they could use them as pre-season fitness drills.” 

“Our aim was to create a fun and exciting atmosphere and encourage all learners to participate.  The camaraderie was excellent with everyone encouraging and supporting one another.  Many of them flew through the drills and even managed to go again whereas others struggled a bit with the target throwing,” said De Meyer.

Capricorn High School has been knocked out of the Coca-Cola® T20 Schools Challenge by Pietersburg High School. “We have a new team on board this year and we are currently in a building process. I am sure we will return stronger next season.  This tournament is such an excellent initiative which every cricketer wants to play in.”

The five drills in the Coca-Cola 30 Minute Heroes Challenge include:

1.    Shuttle runs between 6 beacons, moving a cricket ball from one   beacon to the next.

2.    Target Throwing at a set of wickets.

3.    Skipping with a skipping rope.

4.    Catching balls off a rebound board.

5.    Weaving in and out of 10 slalom poles.

The Coca-Cola® T20 Schools Challenge is about making heroes,” explains Fetsi Mbele, Coca-Cola® South Africa Marketing Assets Manager. “This grass roots tournament is where heroes are unearthed and then progress through to the Coca-Cola® Khaya Majola Cricket Week, an annual tournament, sponsored by Coca-Cola South Africa for over 30 years. It has to date produced over 200 Proteas players.”

“Through our Coca-Cola® T20 30 Minute Hero Challenge we are encouraging all scholars in the country to adopt a physically active lifestyle that will become a lifelong practice,” said Mbele. 

King Edward School competes for outside gym

King Edward School, Gauteng was one of the schools that competed in the Coca-Cola® 30 Minute Heroes Challenge, a competition introduced to schools participating in the Coca-Cola® T20 schools Cricket Challenge and aimed at getting learners to participate in physical activity. 

The concept encourages as many learners as possible to complete a five drill circuit within a 30 minute period. The scores will only be made public once all schools have completed their challenge. The school that completes the most circuits in the allotted time frame stands a chance to win a prize of an outdoor gym to the value of two hundred thousand rand, which will be installed at the winning school.

Christopher Hammond, a teacher and sports coach at KES was pleased with the fantastic turnout on the day with 300 boys eager to take part in the challenge. “Most of the pupils that participated came from our boarding school and we invited every sports team to come along as well. The cricket that participated in the Coca-Cola® T20 Schools Challenge went first. The biggest surprise of the day was to see the basketball boys breezing through the skipping station, which most of the others struggled with.”

Hammond summed up the day, “The Coca-Cola® 30 Minute Heroes Challenge is not just a fun event, it is a well thought out and excellent set-up, even the music suited the age group of the boys.”

King Edwards is out of the Coca-Cola® T20 Schools Challenge after losing to St Stithians in the Gauteng semi-finals. “Most of our top players finished school last year so we have a new team on board. They are young talented players and we are sure to be back in the finals of the tournament next season.”

The five drills in the Coca-Cola 30 Minute Heroes Challenge include:

1.    Shuttle runs between 6 beacons, moving a cricket ball from one   beacon to the next.

2.    Target Throwing at a set of wickets.

3.    Skipping with a skipping rope.

4.    Catching balls off a rebound board.

5.    Weaving in and out of 10 slalom poles.

The Coca-Cola® T20 Schools Challenge is about making heroes,” explains Fetsi Mbele, Coca-Cola® South Africa Marketing Assets Manager. “This grass roots tournament is where heroes are unearthed and then progress through to the Coca-Cola® Khaya Majola Cricket Week, an annual tournament, sponsored by Coca-Cola South Africa for over 30 years. It has to date produced over 200 Proteas players.”

“Through our Coca-Cola® T20 30 Minute Hero Challenge we are encouraging all scholars in the country to adopt a physically active lifestyle that will become a lifelong practice,” said Mbele. 

Stanford Lake College competes for outside gym

Stanford Lake College, Haenertsburg, Limpopo, was one of the schools that competed in the Coca-Cola® 30 Minute Heroes Challenge, a competition introduced to schools participating in the Coca-Cola® T20 schools Cricket challenge and aimed at getting learners to participate in physical activity. 

The concept encourages as many learners as possible to complete a five drill circuit within a 30 minute period. The scores will only be made public once all schools have completed their challenge.  The school that completes the most circuits in the allotted time frame stands a chance to win a prize of an outdoor gym to the value of two hundred thousand rand, which will be installed at the winning school.

Pupils from Grade 8 to 11 participated in the event. “We encouraged the Grade 8 and 9 students to join in as a bonding exercise as they are new at the school and are shy,” said Shane Friedrichs, Director of Sport and 1^st team cricket Coach.  “The Coca-Cola® 30 minute Heroes challenge was the perfect opportunity to get the junior kids involved and active in a fun activity that generated great school spirit.”

Stanford Lake College has been knocked out of the Coca-Cola® T20 Schools Challenge.  Friedrichs explains, “We are a small school of only 120 boys and out of those boys there are only a handful that play cricket. I am therefore very proud of our boys as they thoroughly enjoyed playing against top cricketing schools like Merensky. They have gained invaluable experience and have really grown as a team thanks to the Coca-Cola®.”

The Coca-Cola® T20 Schools Challenge is about making heroes, explains Fetsi Mbele, Coca-Cola South Africa Marketing Assets Manager. “This grass roots tournament is where heroes are unearthed and then progress through to the Coca-Cola® Khaya Majola Cricket Week, an annual tournament, sponsored by Coca-Cola South Africa for over 30 years. It has to date produced over 200 Proteas players.”

The five drills in the Coca-Cola® 30 Minute Heroes Challenge include:

1.    Shuttle runs between 6 beacons, moving a cricket ball from one   beacon to the next.

2.    Target Throwing at a set of wickets.

3.    Skipping with a skipping rope.

4.    Catching balls off a rebound board.

5.    Weaving in and out of 10 slalom poles.

Heroes made at Coca-Cola® T20 Schools Cricket Challenge

Grey College, Bloemfontein, batsmen, Reinhard Bezuidenhoud and Wian van Zyl were recognised as outstanding achievers in the Coca-Cola® T20 School Challenge.  Reinhard managed an impressive 115 not out against Richardtpark Sekondêre Skool and Wian scored 75 not out against the Centre of Excellence.

Coca-Cola® South Africa and Cricket South Africa (CSA) grant this honour to players who excel in the competition and they are awarded a special commemorative cap and a certificate marking the occasion.

Both pupils are now in Grade 12 and both see themselves playing cricket next year, although not professionally.  “Both are dedicated hard working players which is why they achieved this great honour from Coca-Cola®,” said Andre Bester, Master of Cricket.  “Besides their hard work they both have great attitudes on and off the field.  They have made Grey College proud.”

Reinhard was selected to attend the 2013 Free State Coca-Cola® Khaya Majola Cricket Week trials but fell ill and could not attend.  “He was extremely disappointed as it is every cricketers dream to play in the tournament, but receiving this award has made up for it,” said Bester

Both Grey A and B teams are still in the Coca-Cola® T20 Schools Challenge with one more match to play before the finals. “Both teams have tough matches ahead of them,” said Bester.  “The A team will play against Voortrekker Bethlehem and the B team will meet Goudveld. Interestingly, if they both win their matches they will play against each other in the final on 21 February.”

Preparations are coming on well for the Bloemfontein School.  “We have knocked out Welkom and St Andrews, both very good cricket playing schools and we practice most days so we are ready for the next phase of the Coca-Cola® T20 Schools Challenge.”

The Coca-Cola® T20 Schools Challenge is about making heroes, explains Fetsi Mbele, Coca-Cola South Africa Marketing Assets Manager. “This grass roots tournament is where heroes are unearthed and then progress through to the Coca-Cola® Khaya Majola Cricket Week, an annual tournament, sponsored by Coca-Cola South Africa for over 30 years. It has to date produced over 200 Proteas players.”

Excitement in Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal KFC Mini-Cricket Festival

  

The KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union hosted a KFC Mini-Cricket Festival in Durban with the aim of encouraging more and more kids to get active. Starting at 11:00am a morning of cricketing fun saw a variety of boys and girls from all over the region getting active together.

Differently-abled kids were also at the festival, where the emphasis is placed on hand-eye coordination, ball catching skills and the basics of the game.

KFC Mini-Cricket has over 104 000 kids actively participating in the programme around the country, with dedicated volunteer coaches sharing their passion for cricket, by helping these youngsters get the most out of the game from an early age.

“The KwaZulu-Natal region has an abundance of talent spread far and wide, so it’s important that we hosted this KFC Mini-Cricket Festival to bring kids and coaches from various backgrounds together to really enjoy the benefits of getting active”, says Lauren Turnbull, Sponsorships Manager of KFC South Africa.

The kids attending the festival got the chance to audition to become KFC Mini-Cricket Ambassadors. This provides them with the opportunity of meeting their provincial heroes, and successful participants stand a chance to get active at the KFC T20 Internationals between South Africa and Australia by participating in activities such as: the coin toss, taking the field as player escorts and acting as ball boys and girls on the boundaries at the matches.

Excitement in Pietermaritzburg in the kwaZulu-Natal Inland KFC Mini-Cricket Festival

The KwaZulu-Natal Inland Cricket Union hosted a KFC Mini-Cricket Festival in Pietermaritzburg with the aim of encouraging more and more kids to get active. Starting at 9:00am a morning of cricketing fun saw a variety of boys and girls from all over the region getting active together.

Differently-abled kids were also at the festival, where the emphasis is placed on hand-eye coordination, ball catching skills and the basics of the game.

KFC Mini-Cricket has over 104 000 kids actively participating in the programme around the country, with dedicated volunteer coaches sharing their passion for cricket, by helping these youngsters get the most out of the game from an early age.

“The KwaZulu-Natal region has an abundance of talent spread far and wide, so it’s important that we hosted this KFC Mini-Cricket Festival to bring kids and coaches from various backgrounds together to really enjoy the benefits of getting active”, says Lauren Turnbull, Sponsorships Manager of KFC South Africa.

The kids attending the festival got the chance to audition to become KFC Mini-Cricket Ambassadors. This provides them with the opportunity of meeting their provincial heroes, and successful participants stand a chance to get active at the KFC T20 Internationals between South Africa and Australia by participating in activities such as: the coin toss, taking the field as player escorts and acting as ball boys and girls on the boundaries at the matches.

Heroes made at Coco-Cola T20 Schools Cricket Challenge

Middle order batsman and spin bowler, Jean Cloete from Fairbairn College in Cape Town was recognised as an outstanding achiever in the Coca-Cola(r) T20 School Cricket Challenge.  Cloete took 5 wickets for 4 runs against Elsies River High School.

Coca-Cola(r) South Africa and Cricket South Africa (CSA) grant this honour to players who excel in the competition and they are awarded a special commemorative cap and a certificate marking the occasion.

Cloete excels in both rugby and cricket, but does not see himself as a professional player in either sport.  "Jean's dream is to become a rugby referee," said Andries Brink, head of Cricket.  "But who knows, as his cricket game improves perhaps he will change his mind.  Just getting this award has given him inspiration to do better."

Fairbairn lost to Brakenfell High School by 20 runs in their Coca-Cola(r)

T20 Schools Challenge match last week and are therefore out of the competition.  "We might have lost but I am happy with the way the boys played.  We are still building cricket in the school and we have seen a vast improvement from last season.  I believe we will soon give the other traditional cricket playing schools a run for their money in a year or two."

The Coca-Cola(r) T20 Schools Challenge is about making heroes, explains Fetsi Mbele, Coca-Cola South Africa Marketing Assets Manager. "This grass roots tournament is where heroes are unearthed and then progress through to the Coca-Cola(r) Khaya Majola Cricket Week, an annual tournament, sponsored by Coca-Cola South Africa for over 30 years. It has to date produced over

200 Proteas players."

It’s all square with one match to go in the KFC Mini-Cricket kids vs Proteas Tour!

The KFC Mini-Cricket kids of Malvern Primary School secured a heroic 1 run win over the Proteas in the penultimate match of the KFC Mini-Cricket vs Proteas Tour, meaning either side has the chance to win the series in the final match!

Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Proteas, led by David Miller, took to the field confident that they could wrap the series up with a win in this match and secure the all-important bragging rights as overall victors.

The enormity of the occasion was not lost on the young captain of the KFC Mini-Cricket team, Xavier Elliot, who partnered by Suvarn Rampersad, got off to a cautious start as they looked to build a measured innings up front.

This start paved the way for playmaker Laveshan Govender to come to the crease and cut loose, something that David Miller and Kyle Abbott got to experience first had as the young batsmen dispatched them to all parts of the ground with ease and grace.

With the run rate escalating nicely, Kevin Van den Berg and Matthew Bosch showed a similar lack of interest in the reputations of the well-known Proteas bowlers, putting bat to ball with alarming regularity. This prompted Proteas captain Miller into bringing on his secret weapon, Imran Tahir, who spun a web of confusion around the rampant batsmen, slowing the progress of the home side.

The run respite was brief though, as once Tahir was finished, the kids continued to pile on the runs with Proteas bowlers Nadine Moodley and Lizelle Lee going for more runs than they would have hoped for.

Shabnim Ismail was entrusted with bowling the difficult final over, something she did with great success, stifling the scoring of both Uyapha Mathalane and Zackery Gerber. By that stage, the runs were however already on the board so to speak, and the Proteas found themselves needing to chase the daunting total of 74 runs in the allotted 8 overs.

Having done so well with the ball, Imran Tahir was chosen to open the batting with Chloe Tyron, facing up to opposition captain Xavier Elliot. From the start the bowling was tight and determined, with Matthew Bosch maintaining the pressure created by his captain’s opening burst.

With things not looking too encouraging for the Proteas, Lizelle Lee came to the crease, hot off her player of the tournament accolade in the recent T20 triangular against Pakistan and Ireland, and looking determined to get her team back in the game. Ably partnered by Nadine Moodley, the seasoned campaigners put the KFC Mini-Cricket kids under pressure, running hard, and keeping the scoreboard ticking with each ball.

This then set the stage for Proteas captain David Miller to come to the crease and in signature style, close the game out with some lusty blows. He started out in just this vein, with some huge shots out of the ground, unraveling the young bowlers who tried hard to counter his strength and skills, but sadly had no answers to them.

Batting in the place of the injured AB de Villiers, Lizelle Lee batted for a second time joining David Miller at the crease. Needing 21 runs from the last two overs, the KFC Mini-Cricket kids needed someone to step up and save the day. That someone was Kai Landman, a talented young bowler that the Proteas could just not get away. Uyapha Mathalane followed his lead at the start of the final over, and within the space of a few balls, the pressure was suddenly back on the Proteas, who despite having star players Miller and Lee at the crease, needed 5 runs from the last two balls.

Chaos then ensued with Miller being run out off a wide while trying to steal two runs, the eventual result being that the Proteas needed 3 runs off the final ball. Young Uyapha ran in again, and with nerves of steel, fired the ball towards Miller, who could only manage a single, and with that the KFC Mini-Cricket kids of Malvern Primary had beaten the Proteas by 1 run!

In almost sheer disbelief, the kids all went crazy when the umpires signaled the end of the match, with the spectators swarming around them in excitement.

It was a famous day for all involved at Malvern Primary, with the home team’s coach, Nathan Viktor, saying that he believes this match will do wonders in inspiring more and more kids at the school to get active with KFC Mini-Cricket in future.

School principle Alan Galvin, said that when he was in primary school, he, like his young learners, used to dream about playing against his heroes. Only difference being that the kids got to live their dreams on this day, making it a day that everyone will remember for a very long time.

Onto the final match of the KFC Mini-Cricket vs Proteas Tour we go, and with the incredible comeback the KFC Mini-Cricket kids have staged in this series while getting active against their heroes, it is anyone’s guess who will come out as the ultimate victors.