KFC Mini-Cricket Kids win first match against Proteas in the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour

The KFC Mini-Cricket kids from Abinala Primary School took on the Proteas in the first KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour match, which took place on Monday, 19 February at the kids’ school in Vosloorus, Gauteng.

The highly action-packed encounter saw the KFC Mini-Cricket kids overpower the Proteas, winning by 7 runs to go 1-0 in the tour.

The Proteas team was led by Andile Phehlukwayo, and included current KFC T20 International captain, JP Duminy, Jon-Jon Smuts, Dane Paterson, Mignon du Preez, Trish Chetty, Reeza Hendricks and AB de Villiers.

The kids won the toss and their skipper, Thabang Sithole, decided to bat first. Sithole set a good example by getting off to a quick start, hitting 10 runs off his 6 balls. He was well supported by Man of the Match, Thato Sedibe, who also scored 10 runs.

At the end of their 8 overs the KFC Mini-Cricket kids had 47 runs on the board.

The Proteas got off to a slow start and after time was up for their first pair, Reeza Hendricks and Jon-Jon Smuts, they only had 6 runs on the board. JP Duminy (9) and Dane Paterson (11) tried to get the Proteas back on track in their run chase but the KFC Mini-Cricket kids just had too many runs on the board.

KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour competition winner and mother of the Abinala Primary School captain, Puleng Sithole, said: “I was so excited to meet the Proteas players and to bring this initiative to my child’s school.

"The Proteas were amazing with the kids and encouraged them to continue to play cricket. I hope that this experience will get my kids to work towards their dreams because anything is possible, even becoming a Proteas player.”

The KFC Mini-Cricket Kids lead the Proteas 1-0 with two matches still to be played. Up next, St Andrews Primary School from Saldanha Bay will go up against the Proteas at PPC Newlands Cricket Ground on 22 February.

One spot is still up for grabs and schools or cricket clubs can stand a chance to take on the Proteas in the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour, by simply dialling *120*7535# or visiting www.kfc.co.za/minicricket now to enter!

Last game of the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas tour to decide the winner of the series

With the thrilling KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas tour sitting on 3 wins each and one tie, it all comes down to the final match on the  10^th of March, taking place at Axxess St. Georges Park with Belinda Allie and her team becoming the final team to take on the Proteas while getting active on the field.

Having entered the competition to play against the Proteas more than 200 times, along with getting parents and kids from Malabar Primary to do the same, Belinda got the perfect birthday present on the 18^th of October 2013 by finding out that she had won the competition in her region.

Belinda is a KFC Mini-Cricket coordinator, looking after 48 schools in her region north of Port Elizabeth, Belinda has been involved in KFC Mini-Cricket for the past 25 years, starting as a coach and working her way up to her current position of regional coordinator.

Her experience and passion for the game has proved invaluable for Malabar Primary, where KFC Mini-Cricket is played by both boys and girls between the ages of 6-9 years old. Gearing up for this crucial final match of the series, with the two teams tied and desperate for outright glory, Belinda was faced with the task of selecting the final 8 players. She decided that she would choose the kids who put in the most effort in entering the competition to get the Proteas to come to their school for this final match.

The team will be made up of 3 girls and 5 boys and they have been having extra training sessions on Saturdays. As an added bonus leading up to the big game, these lucky youngsters will also be involved in the KFC T20 International at St George’s Park for the Proteas vs Australia game on the 9^th of March. The kids will participate as player escorts and ball boys and girls and meet their Proteas heroes on the pitch.

Speaking of the Proteas, Belinda’s favourite player is AB de Villiers; someone who she feels has had a direct influence on her life as the KFC Mini-Cricket ambassador. A stand out feature about AB for Belinda is that he teaches kids to be confident, and not arrogant, a trait that is embodied by most of the Proteas, including Hashim Amla, the kids’ favourite Proteas player.

With over 1000 pupils at Malabar Primary, the kids will have a group of supporter’s right from the start, something that will no doubt help them feel a little more confident going into this deciding match of the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas tour match.

KFC Mini-Cricket kids get the better of the Proteas at Laerskool Fleur

The KFC Mini-Cricket kids of Centurion’s Laerskool Fleur recorded an impressive 3 run win over the Proteas in a rain curtailed affair in front of a passionate home crowd.

In the first rain affected match of the KFC Mini-Cricket kids vs Proteas Tour, the spectators were kept in suspense as the game came to a thrilling and unexpected end. The match was judged on how many runs each team scored after 4 overs, with the KFC Mini-Cricket kids pulling out all the stops to end victorious.

Before rain put an end to the encounter, things started off with great excitement as the KFC Mini-Cricket kids won the toss and elected to get active on the field first against their heavily favoured opponents. When asked about the decision to bowl, skipper Kagiso Malau’s response was a decisive one, “well, I am good at bowling”.

Proteas captain AB de Villiers knew that such an answer must have come from a position of confidence, so his team approached the task of batting with due caution. A boy of his word, Kagiso instantly put the Proteas under pressure with some very accurate bowling. With pressure mounting on AB de Villiers and fellow opener Aaron Phangiso, the first wicket came in the form of a run out as the kids, being as active as ever, pounced on the opportunity.

From there the Proteas batsmen relaxed a little and started to play some shots. Something that saw not only the KFC Mini-Cricket kids chasing after the ball, but also the many spectators who also got active on the sidelines.

The second pair of Farhaan Behardien and Chris Morris came to the crease looking to up the ante, but failed to do so as the KFC Mini-Cricket kids combined tight bowling and ultra sharp fielding to keep their opponents in check.

The home team was showing great variety with their mixed bowling line-up producing all kinds of problems for the batsmen. Tamryn Lorence sent Chris Morris’ stumps flying with a brilliant yorker, while the sisters Tylo and Vanya van Wyngaardt bowled a brilliant line and length with Tylo bowling the over of the day taking 3 wickets for 3 runs.

Eventually the Proteas did manage to come good at the death, and after 8 overs finished up with 56 runs. It was a fine effort with the ball from the KFC Mini-Cricket kids, but as clouds continued to build, lightning bolts fizzed and a light drizzle started to fall the kids were not worried if they were good enough to chase down the total, but if Mother Nature would allow them to!

Determined to make a game of it despite the daunting elements, captain Kagiso Malau got his team’s run chase off to a steady start, with Michael Atkinson, the best of the KFC Mini-Cricket kids’ batsman on the day building impressively on the opening stand with some attacking stroke play.

With the weather worsening with each ball, the umpires decided to call for one more over after the 3^rd, and having looked at what the Proteas were on at that same stage, declared that the KFC Mini-Cricket kids needed to have 29 runs on the board after the last over to win.

Quinton de Kock was entrusted with the ball. He started brilliantly with 3 dot balls. His 4^th was a no ball however, and from that one break in concentration, the kids took full advantage. Some lusty blows were struck, and combined with some uncharacteristic poor fielding from the Proteas, the kids had the game in the bag!

The enthusiastic supporters who had braved the weather were delighted with the result, and the school’s headmaster, Mr. Bekker, praised his young heroes and their tremendous efforts in securing the victory, “We have never had an event like this at our school and our KFC Mini-Cricket kids made us proud with the way they handled themselves in front of their heroes”.

Tylo van Wyngaardt was awarded the player of the match award for her terrific bowling efforts in taking 3 wickets for 3 runs. She was naturally very pleased in the active role she played in the win, crediting her decision to bowl spin as being her ticket to success.

She intends to carry on developing her spin bowling potential and hopefully one day play for the Proteas women’s team. With the opportunity she got to get active against her heroes in this match, Tylo, along with all the other KFC Mini-Cricket kids that participated in the KFC Mini-Cricket kids vs Proteas tour, have experienced the perfect stepping stone to greater things, which will certainly keep them getting active playing the sport they love.

Laerskool Fleur gears up to take on the Proteas!

Winston Phahlane is the latest winner in the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour competition. This will be the 6^th match in the hugely exciting KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour will taking place in Pretoria, on Monday the 20^th of January.

Winston entered on behalf of his friend Ntshidiseng Malau, Ntshidiseng’s son, Kagiso and his schools friends will now have, the opportunity to take on the Proteas.

Going into this match the Proteas are the leaders of this tour.. The five matches played so far have resulted in three wins for the Proteas, one for the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids, with the last match between the two sides ending in a tie. Highlights of all the games can be found at www.kfcminicricket.co.za.

Winston often helps single mother Ntshidiseng with giving nine year old Kagiso a lift to and from cricket matches, as she does not have a car. He says that sport is a platform that brings people together, and is also a firm believer that we can continue uniting the country by supporting grassroots sports initiatives like KFC Mini-Cricket. Supporting young Kagiso in getting active and following his dreams is something that is close to his heart.

Both Ntshidiseng and Katlego are huge cricket fans. While mom is very fond of senior Proteas players Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla, Kagiso favours the rising Proteas star Quinton de Kock, who is lighting up the international cricket scene right now.

Kagiso really admires Quinton’s talent and flair, and recently got to get a little closer to his favourite player and other international stars as a ball boy during an international match between the Proteas and Pakistan at Supersport Park Centurion. KFC Mini-Cricket kids countrywide during the KFC T20 Internationals get the opportunity to participate as player escorts, ball boys and even as representatives at the official coin toss.

Kagiso and his mom really enjoy watching cricket at Supersport Park, but to escort one of the Pakistani players onto the field as he did recently, gave him the chance to dream big and see what it is like to be a part of the international stage. Ntshidiseng encourages Kagiso to believe in his dreams and to work hard towards them, and competing against the Proteas, many of whom started their cricketing careers in KFC Mini-Cricket, will go a long way in encouraging him further.

The Proteas team consisting of, Kagiso’s favourite player, Quinton de Kock and fellow team mates Aaron Phangiso, Farhaan Behardien and Chris Morris will no doubt be looking to wrap up the KFC Mini-Cricket vs Proteas tour with a win against Laerskool Fleur, but with huge home team support expected in the form of fellow students and parents; this will of course be no foregone conclusion.

Ntshidiseng is taking the day off work, and together with Winston they will be eagerly watching Kagiso shine and enjoy the opportunity of getting active in this once in a lifetime match.

Teaser KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Launch Montecasino

KFC Mini-Cricket kids vs Proteas Launch

The launch of the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour took place on the 8^th September at Montecasino, Fourways. An assembled team of KFC Mini-Cricket kids took on a Proteas side, marking the start of a cricket season that will see kids in seven KFC Mini-Cricket teams from seven regions squaring up against their heroes.  Games will either take place at parks, shopping centres or schools with the aim of attracting as many supporters as possible.  

The seven winners will be selected through a USSD competition mechanism where entrants dial*120*7535# to enter.  A lucky draw will be held for each region after the competition closes on 8^th October 2013 were the lucky winners, and their KFC Mini-Cricket team, will then play a game against the Proteas. 

“In keeping with our focus in getting more  kids active, we believe there is no better way to achieve this than by  getting the Proteas to play kids and their teams, and encourage activity and fun on the pitch” said Lizanne Bartlett, Marketing Director KFC South Africa

This once in a lifetime tour will make for unique and exciting contests. Not only will the kids in the winning schools get to enjoy the day, the public in the region will be encouraged to attend and support too, providing them with exclusive photo and autograph opportunities with their local heroes.

With over 100 000 kids getting active in the KFC Mini-Cricket programme throughout South Africa, the Proteas are in for a stern test. The on-field rivalries may be unlikely ones, but the passion and enthusiasm will be at an all time high as the stars of tomorrow get to play against the stars of today for the ultimate cricketing bragging rights.

“After playing against the kids last year when we left for Australia and getting bowled out on the 2^nd ball, I know these matches won’t exactly be light-hearted exhibitions. But I’m looking forward to getting active with the kids, their passion for the game is always very inspiring” said AB de Villiers.

The KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour is just another way that kids will get a chance to get active. Together with other opportunities in the KFC T20 International Series and Ram Slam T20 Challenge this summer, KFC Mini-Cricket kids will also be encouraged to get their friends to get active.

“KFC Mini-Cricket - getting kids active.”

The KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour fixtures are as follows:

-          9 October 2013:  Proteas vs a school from Bloemfontein

-          5 November 2013:  Proteas vs a school from Cape Town

-          19 November 2013:  Proteas vs a school from Johannesburg

-          1 December 2013: Proteas vs a school from East London

-          13 January 2014:  Proteas vs a school from Pretoria

-          5 February 2014:  Proteas vs a school from Durban

-          7 March 2014:  Proteas vs a school from Port Elizabeth

Pictures

                      1. AB de Villiers and Player of the Match Jemma Searle at the after match awards ceremony at the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour launch at Montecasino. There will be 7 more games in the major centres around South Africa.

                      2. The Proteas in the dugout waiting for their turn to bat in the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas tour launch at Montecasino.

                      3. KFC Mini-Cricket kids waiting for their turn to play against the Proteas in the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas tour launch at Montecasino.

                      4. KFC Mini-Cricket Kids and the Proteas having their photos taken before the match started in the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas tour launch at Montecasino.

PROTEA’S, AB DE VILLIERS SQUARES UP AGAINST SA UNDER-19 ALL-ROUNDER, YASEEN VALLI TO PROVE THE VALUE OF THE POWERADE® PERFORMANCE SESSIONS

Powerade, chosen by Cricket South Africa to hydrate the Proteas, ran Powerade Performance Sessions at approximately 70 high schools in Gauteng and the Western Cape in October and November 2012, and then pitted a Proteas player against an Under-19 school cricketer to demonstrate the importance of conditioning at International level.

The Powerade Performance Sessions were designed by Proteas’ Strength and Conditioning coach, Rob Walter, who has over 11 years of experience in training elite athletes. Through these sessions Powerade® sought to integrate the link between high performance, biokinetics, sports science, nutrition and hydration. All the exercises targeted the specific movement patterns that players would encounter on the field of play.

The best way to demonstrate the value of the Powerade® Performance Sessions was to square up a Proteas player against an under 19 cricketer.

In the batting category Walter matched batsman AB de Villiers and SA Colts and Under-19 cricketer, Yaseen Valli.

Walter explained that the three fundamental skills in batting were reaction time, speed and foot movement. He designed three tests to measure these aspects and ran the cricketers through them.

First up was reaction time. The players had to touch random flashing lights on an activity board. Valli was able to touch the target 25 times in 30 seconds, while De Villiers scored 28 in the time period.

When it comes to batting there are two aspects to speed – running between the wickets and turning at the end of each run.

AB de Villiers recorded a turn time of 4.09 seconds and a total time of 9.14 seconds for the two runs measured. Valli’s times were 4.47 seconds for the turn and 9.92 in total.

Foot movement, Walter says, is essential for skills execution in batting and the exercise used involved the batsman using his feet and shape his body to get himself into position to hit the ball through a particular target area.

De Villiers was able to hit the ball through the allocated target 16 out of 20 times, while Valli’s score was 12 out of 20.

De Villiers said that the Powerade® Performance Sessions exercises definitely help his game. “Reaction time, footwork and speed is what it’s all about.”

Walter said the exercises showed that these skills are absolutely essential to performing at the elite level. “Today AB de Villiers gave us an illustration as to why he is one of the best in the world,” he said.

“Powerade® is the chosen sport drink of many of South Africa’s sports stars,” explains Craig van Niekerk, Marketing Assets Manager of Coca-Cola South Africa.  “But effective conditioning is a combination of many factors and through the Powerade® Performance Sessions we want the players to continue to develop, become more functional and continue to challenge themselves so that they continue growing and improving their cricket skills.”

 

PICTURES NEWLANDS TEST MATCH SOUTH AFRICA VS NEW ZEALAND 2ND JANUARY 2013

AB de Villiers plays a shot to the leg side

Alviro Petersen celebrates another century

Alviro Petersen celebrates another century

Alviro Petersen declines a single

KFC MINI-CRICKET OCTOBER COACH OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER 2012

Franciske Anneke Venter, sport coordinator for Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) for Northerns cricket, has been named the KFC Mini-Cricket Coach of the Month for October. The award is in recognition of the hard work and dedication towards the volunteer coaching programme. She wins a trophy, a cap and KFC gift vouchers worth R1 000.

Venter, who has cerebral palsy, developed a passion for cricket at a young age but could not find a programme to cater for those with special needs so she played with able-bodied players. “I then discovered that a form of cricket for the disabled was played in the UK,” said Venter.  “I introduced this type of cricket to the Northerns Cricket Union and it has now spread to other unions.”

While she was still playing the game at provincial level as well as coaching teens, Venter decided to shift her focus to the KFC Mini-Cricket programme.  “I first started coaching in 2003 and in 2009 I joined the KFC Mini-Cricket programme as I wanted to make a difference in the lives of differently abled kids so they can achieve their cricket dreams.  I achieved my dreams and I wanted to inspire and motivate kids.  I feel my work is done when I see a child smile after hitting a ball, scoring a couple of runs or taking a wicket,” said Venter, who has a Cricket South Africa level 2 coaching qualification.

One of Venter’s success stories is 20 year-old Brent Koetzer who has only one arm and has been representing the Northerns LSEN team for the past three seasons. “I started coaching Brent in 2008 when he was 16 years old. He will be going to Mpumalanga next month to represent Northerns at the National LSEN Tournament.” 

Venter was nominated for the award based on her coaching abilities.  She is dependable, always delivers on what she promises and she has shown that she can successfully arrange and run KFC Mini-Cricket in LSEN schools and clubs. Her recipe for KFC Mini-Cricket stretches wider than her school alone. She successfully involves parents, and the coordinators from other neighbouring LSEN schools.

The biggest challenge is the logistics of getting kids with disabilities to games. “Sometimes the effort becomes too much for the parents and they eventually decide not to attend,” said Venter. “Working directly with Northerns Cricket, I try to think of everything that the kids might need and I try my best to help all the kids get to their games.”

When not coaching KFC Mini-Cricket, Venter represents Northerns as a bowling all-rounder in their disabled cricket programme.

There are now over 100 000 kids getting active by getting into KFC Mini-Cricket. The over 7 000 volunteer coaches in the programme, who generously give their time and skills, will ensure that the kids from the 4 500 schools will be coached more frequently while also improving the standard of cricket. 

For more information or to register your school for KFC Mini-Cricket log on to www.kfc.co.za/minicricket or contact CSA at (011) 880 2810.

 

GET INTO ACTION, GET INTO KFC MINI-CRICKET – EAST LONDON HOST THE SEVENTH PROVINCIAL FESTIVAL

Border Cricket Union hosted a KFC Mini-Cricket festival at Buffalo Park, East London on Thursday, with over 600 children (boys and girls) between the ages of 3 and 13 getting active on the cricket field.

The kids that participated in the festival came in school teams with eight players per team.  The teams then each played two games.  The KFC Action Zones, which are inflatables that enable kids to improve their skills in a fun way, were stationed at the ground.

But there was more to the day today than just cricket explains Lauren Turnbull, KFC CSI and Sponsorships Manager. “The best way to get a message across to kids is through other kids and with this in mind we have introduced a kid’s ambassador search this year.  At each festival, including Grey’s College, we set up an audition area to select kid ambassadors who will be used to promote our KFC Mini-Cricket message which is to encourage kids to get active and get into KFC Mini-Cricket. “

KFC partnered with Cricket South Africa (CSA) in 2010 with the aim of reaching as many children as possible and to promote an active and balanced lifestyle. The 2011/12 season saw the programme grow by 20%, double the target set, so there are now over 100 000 kids actively involved.

The focus this season is the KFC Mini-Cricket kids ambassador search and for kids already in the programme to play more frequently. “This season we will ensure that we maintain and improve the quality of cricket played by the children and will continue to encourage enrolment. A main focus for this season will be the growth of KFC Mini-Cricket into rural communities,” said Niels Momberg, Youth Cricket Manager at CSA.

AB De Villiers has been an ambassador of KFC Mini-Cricket since 2010 and is an inspiration to the kids involved.  “Everyone needs an introduction into a particular sport and we couldn’t ask for a better way than to be involved in KFC Mini-Cricket. I believe this season will entice even more kids into the programme and I bet it will unearth some characters as ambassadors.  I will have to work hard to keep my position as the ambassador.”

KFC is immensely proud of their involvement with KFC Mini-Cricket: “What we have achieved to date goes far beyond our expectations.  Our message is to encourage active and balanced lifestyles for children and each season we look at ensuring that the kids have fun outdoors, this season is proving to be no different,” said Turnbull.

Each of the 16 cricket provinces will stage a KFC Mini-Cricket festival and the Free State festival was the fifth.  KFC and CSA remain committed to building cricket amongst the youth now and well into the future.

KFC MINI-CRICKET GROWS BY 20 PERCENT AND KFC MINI-CRICKET COACH OF THE YEAR IS ANNOUNCED

The KFC Mini-Cricket programme grew from 83 638 participants in the 2010/11 season to 100 702 in the 2011/12 season, an increase of 20 percent ,which far exceeds the 10 percent target set by KFC and Cricket  SA for its Unions.

KFC partnered with CSA two years ago with the aim of reaching as many children as possible to promote an active and balanced lifestyle.  It is important for kids to develop an active and balanced lifestyle at a young age because it becomes a habit that can be a benefit for a lifetime. 

The increase in participation would not have been possible without the 6 000 or so coaches who manage the programme. Each year KFC Mini-cricket salutes one of these volunteers by naming him or her the KFC Mini-Cricket Coach of the Year. This year that person is Angela Cilliers of the Matatiele district of KwaZulu-Natal.

Cilliers was given this prestigious award in recognition of her passion for the programme and for the boys and girls she coaches. Her leadership, organisational and motivational qualities have been commended in the running of the programme in her district.  She has not been involved for as many years as some of the former winners, but her commitment, quality of her work and the drive to get children leading an active and balanced lifestyle makes her a worthy recipient.

Cilliers, who is a teacher at St Monica's School in Matatiele, says KFC KFC Mini-Cricket is in her blood.

She was responsible for the growth of the KFC Mini-Cricket programme at the previous school she taught - Rivermead Christian Academy – and was instrumental in getting the programme going in the district, a rural area where there were very few sporting opportunities for the young boys and girls.

She remembers her introduction to the programme well. "I was told to run KFC Mini-Cricket at my previous school, although I had no idea what it was all about. I was given a KFC Mini-Cricket booklet and was told to study and run the KFC Mini-Cricket coaching lessons as from the next day.”

“That night I fell in love with the programme. The next day I held my first coaching session and I have never looked back. This is a programme that can teach young students about getting the basics right so that they can become the very best they can be.”

She was appointed the sports co-ordinator at St Monica’s this year and immediately set about introducing KFC Mini-Cricket in the school; she is also busy getting it going in the surrounding rural areas as well.

Cilliers has a Basic Coaching Mini-Cricket (Level 0) qualification and has been involved with the programme since 2009. In that time she has imparted cricket and life skills to hundreds of boys and girls, of which roughly half were girls. She says it has been particularly pleasing that so many girls are now involved.

Looking back over the years of her involvement in the programme, she believes the most memorable moment was when she was selected to attend the KFC Mini-Cricket National Seminar. “This was an awesome privilege for me. You come back from there and just want to persuade every small student to start playing KFC Mini-Cricket,” said Cilliers.

“The past season focused on growing the programme and this upcoming season is about endorsing the active and balanced lifestyle message and informing the public why KFC is so passionate about this programme” commented Dave Timm, Chief Marketing Officer of KFC

KFC Mini-Cricket – Last chance to win a coaching session with a Proteas player

The South African cricketers currently playing in the IPL in India are in great form, keeping South African fans interested and entertained even though the local season is over.

And, courtesy of the KFC Mini-Cricket programme, young cricket fans can stand a chance for a Proteas Player to visit their school and coach their school cricket team.

The lucky six schools that get drawn will see either, Hashim Amla, AB De Villiers, JP Duminy, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell or Vernon Philander coming to the school to coach their school cricket team.  The player selected will run a coaching session, speak to the players as well as motivate them to keep working at their game.

Fans can enter the competition on http://www.supersport.com/competitions/KFCIPL with entries closing on 27 May.  A draw will be take place once the IPL ends when all competition entrants  will get to know if they have won and which player will be visiting their school. The coaching sessions will be finalised based on the availability of the players.

KFC Mini-Cricket programme, which is a soft ball development programme that is an integral part of Cricket South Africa's mission to take the game to the people of South Africa, is a programme that AB De Villiers endorses as an ambassador to the programme. AB says this is a programme he is very passionate about and that it brings him great joy knowing that he is contributing to kids living an active and balanced lifestyle.

Information or to register your school for KFC Mini-Cricket log on to www.kfc.co.za/minicricket or contact CSA at (011) 880 2810.