KFC ends off the 2019/20 KFC Mini-Cricket season on a high note

As the curtain closes on yet another action-packed KFC Mini-Cricket season, KFC takes this time to reflect on the key moments that continue to set the grassroot programme apart. Whether it’s the dedicated mini-cricketers batting and bowling at a Provincial festival held in Umtata or Benoni, or the heart-warming moments of watching new friendships being made on the pitch, one appreciates the time to look back on what truly makes the programme a home for kids to learn and grow in the best way possible. This reflection comes with an even greater milestone of KFC marking an incredible 10-year partnership with Cricket South Africa (CSA) this season.

The 2019/20 season saw the KFC Mini-Cricket programme grow in leaps and bounds. The season saw 126 642 kids playing the beautiful game of cricket with an additional 122 schools across the country joining the programme. This phenomenal trajectory can also be attributed to the great work being done by the 13 673 passionate KFC Mini-Cricket volunteer coaches. Furthermore, there was an increase of games played, with over 60 000 matches taking place throughout the season.

“When our partnership with CSA began over 10 years ago, we had a clear vision of getting even more kids active across the country through the KFC Mini-Cricket programme. Together with CSA, we believe we have delivered on this mandate. The hard work continues as we continue efforts of growing the world class programme that impacts South African children. The incredible dedication of our volunteer coaches and coordinators has been an incredible driving force, with their selfless commitment and passion and fun being added to the game every day,” says Andra Nel, KFC Corporate Social Responsibility Manager.

The impact of the programme is a true reflection of the extraordinary contribution it brings. Not only does it teach life skills and the value of dreams and aspirations but KFC and CSA continue to invest greatly in improving the quality of cricket for the kids by implementing skills development programmes for the volunteer coaches and coordinators through its coaching courses, using provincial and regional seminars across the 16 unions as a platform to educate and motivate the key role players and continuing to find ways to assist more schools gain access to the sport.

“It is indeed part of Cricket South Africa’s vision to make cricket a truly national sport that is accessible to all and that is what makes our partnership with KFC such an important one through our KFC Mini-Cricket program,” says CSA CEO Jacques Faul.

“The success of the Mini-Cricket initiative continues to make a massive contribution to the growth of our game and particularly for those who do not have the benefit of attending one of our leading cricketing schools. These have been really heart-warming projects that have contributed immensely to our pipeline.”

With the new season planning  underway, even as the COVID-19  global pandemic impacts schools and communities across the country, KFC and CSA will continue to engage with relevant officials and associations to make sure the KFC Mini-Cricket kids and coaches will have an opportunity to get on the pitch to play the game we all love so much as soon as it is safe to do so.