The Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge, which concluded on Sunday 18
March, saw Coca-Cola give talented cricketers the opportunity to be part of the
tournament’s national finals. The experience culminated in a match against the
Cricket South Africa (CSA) Development Hub team, as a curtain-raiser to the
final match of the tournament.
The new addition to the tournament is aimed at spreading the talent
search net wider and saw tournament ambassador, Temba Bavuma, and a team of
cricket experts, attend all 6 of the Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge franchise
finals in search of outstanding players in the teams that did not qualify for
the national finals. This team comprised of 12 players, 2 selected from each
franchise final.
The Coca-Cola T20 All-Star team experience kicked off with the players,
along with the franchise and focus school teams, getting capped at SuperSport
Park. This was followed by a tour of the stadium, where the Proteas recently
took on India in a test match.
Day 2 saw the Coca-Cola T20 All-Star team take part in an extensive
training session with team mentor Temba Bavuma, and Titans youth coach, Onke
Matsiba. Post training, the young players enjoyed some cricket as they watched
the Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge finalists compete for a spot in the final
at the Tuks cricket fields. To assist the players in building friendships
amongst each other and create memories off the field, Coca-Cola treated the
All-Star team to a dinner and a thrilling 4D movie.
“The whole Coca-Cola T20 All-Star experience was unbelievable. We
stayed in the most beautiful hotel and had an opportunity to train at one of
the best cricket fields that Protea players train at. That was a dream come
true for me,” said Selborne College captain, Matthew Dewar.
Another highlight for the Coca-Cola All-Star team was rubbing shoulders
with Coca-Cola SA U19 Coach, Lawrence Mahatlane, during their net training
session at the world class Powerade Centre of Excellence, where he shared some
insights on playing at international level.
Hoërskool Marais Viljoen wicketkeeper, Khaya Nyamathe, was selected by
Bavuma and Matsiba to lead the team. Nyamathe said that tapping into Bavuma’s
knowledge was a life-changing encounter. “I learnt so much from Temba Bavuma
during our training sessions with him. He told us that we should always work on
developing our skills if we want to become the best in cricket. The amount of
knowledge that he shared with us was truly something special, something that
will definitely help me become a better sportsman.”
The Coca-Cola T20 All-Star team concluded their experience with a
hard-fought 15-run win against a strong CSA Hub team, in the much-anticipated
curtain raiser match ahead of the decider match of the tournament.
Proteas batsman and tournament ambassador commented on the players’
commitment to learning. “The Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge weekend was an
eye-opener for the boys. Not all of them had played in tournaments on a
national level before this weekend, so it was a good for them to take on some
of the best players in the CSA Hub system. To get a win was a big plus.”
[ENDS]
Media Contact
Shawn
Belluigi
Email: shawn@intunecom.co.za
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands and more than 3,800 beverage choices. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world's most valuable and recognizable brands, our company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands, 18 of which are available in reduced-, low- or no-calorie options. Our billion-dollar brands include Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Dasani, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Del Valle, Georgia and Gold Peak. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, we are the No. 1 provider of both sparkling and still beverages. More than 1.9 billion servings of our beverages are enjoyed by consumers in more than 200 countries each day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, create a safe, inclusive work
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