KFC wraps up the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids Join the Proteas on Tour with a bang!

During the KFC T20 International Series against Zimbabwe, KFC gave the KFC Mini-Cricket kids an opportunity to join their Protea heroes on their official tour.

The winning schools, Nomandi Junior Secondary School of Port St Johns, Paarl’s Amstelhof Primary School and Bayview Primary School from Port Elizabeth had a once in a lifetime experience to join their heroes and have a sneak preview of what happens behind in the scenes on an official Proteas tour.

The Tour officially began in preparation for the first KFC T20 International game in East London, where Nomandi Junior Secondary School’s KFC Mini-Cricket team received a warm welcome from their heroes. The kids also took up the opportunity to get active in an intense Proteas fitness session ahead of the game. The kids received insights to what it takes to be a national hero and the hard work one needs to put in to be a great sportsman.

In addition to the KFC Mini-Cricket kids from Bayview Primary School rubbing shoulders with JP Duminy, Tabraiz Shamsi and Lungi Ngidi. The kids went behind the scenes to see the Proteas locker rooms where they got a real feel of how the teams prepare themselves for all games.

Another intimate session was led by wicketkeeper, Heinrich Klaasen who was welcomed by a chant from the kids titled “Klaasen jou lekker ding”. The learners were overwhelmed at first but warmed up to him as he sat with them in the grand stands. This meant so much for the learners of Amstelhof Primary as this was the first time to see a Protea in their midst, let alone the whole team.

To close off the Tour, the KFC Mini-Cricket kids from Bayview Primary School flew to Johannesburg where they had a surprise room drop by Proteas-Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson and Andile Phehlukwayo. The ecstatic kids were also spoilt with a personalised signing session with their Protea Heroes.

Taki Simeli, External Communication Specialist at KFC, believed the tour was success. “We believe the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids Join the Proteas on Tour competition really exceeded our wildest expectations. The once-in-a-lifetime experience gave the kids an opportunity to ignite the passion they have for their favourite sport and we hope the fire will continue to burn whilst getting active.”

Simeli continues, “At KFC we are always looking for opportunities to further enhance our KFC Mini-Cricket programme. Our sponsorship of the KFC T20 International Series is a way to profile the programme and bring the kids close to their cricketing heroes, making them part of the game, inspiring the kids and reigniting their passion for cricket.”

Proteas bowler, Junior Dala, who participated in the fitness assessment with the KFC Mini-Cricket kids shared how he knew the importance of being a role model and on working towards his goals. “We showed them there is more to being a Protea than just playing on the field. The kids learned that there is a number of activities that take place behind the scenes. The biggest thing for them to learn is that they need to keep up their enthusiasm and work hard to achieve their goals.”

The two- day experience included a live experience at a KFC T20 International match. Each match day experience included the KFC Mini-Cricket kids taking part in the guard of honour, officiating at the coin toss, participating as ball boys and girls during the games and taking part in the prize giving ceremonies after the matches.

Proteas legend, Robin Peterson joined the kids on tour and also landed a hand in gearing up tomorrow’s cricketing heroes. “I remember going to the nets in Port Elizabeth when I was young to get signatures and see how my heroes played. The KFC Mini-Cricket initiative is an exceptional way to build even more love for the game and build true sportsman and women on and off the field. I hope the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids will never forget this experience.” he said.

The KFC Mini-Cricket programme continues to be the largest national grassroots development programme in South Africa and offers kids critical building blocks for learning cricketing basics and entrenching a love for the game.

The three winning teams all took part in KFC Mini-Cricket Kids Join the Proteas on Tour competition all entered the national KFC Mini-Cricket Kids Join the Proteas on Tour competition by simply dialling *120*7535# or visited kfc.co.za/minicricket. 

TEMBA BAVUMA JOINS COCA-COLA SCHOOLS T20 CHALLENGE TO CAST A SPOTLIGHT ON FUTURE HEROES

Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge, South Africa’s premier schools cricket tournament, has kicked off and will once again be casting a spotlight on the best up and coming, young cricket talent in South Africa. This year, Coca-Cola South Africa, in partnership with Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Proteas batsman, Temba Bavuma, will be on the lookout for outstanding young players to be part of the Coca-Cola T20 All-Star Team.

The new addition to the tournament is aimed at spreading the talent search net wider and will see 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 do not qualify for the national finals.

This team will comprise 12 players, 2 from each franchise final and will play in a curtain-raiser match against a CSA Development Hub team during the Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge National Finals.

“I’m very excited to join Coca-Cola on this journey of searching for some of South Africa’s excelling youth cricketers,” commented Bavuma. “I’m incredibly proud to be associated with the Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge and as a player, I believe that this is a great platform for young cricketers to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience. I look forward to seeing all the talent that will be unearthed this year,” added the Standard Bank Proteas batsman.

The Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge is fast becoming synonymous with showcasing the best, up and coming in South African cricket talent. Since its inception, the tournament has seen Proteas superstars, Quinton de Kock, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi, as well as recently appointed Proteas ODI captain Aiden Markram.

Michelle Cloete, Marketing Manager, Coca-Cola South Africa said, “Coca-Cola has been a proud sponsor of the Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge for the past five years. The tournament is where heroes are made, and this year we look forward to taking it to the next level by unearthing the future cricket heroes through our All-Star team search that will be led by Proteas superstar Temba Bavuma. Good luck to all the players taking part in this year’s tournament, may it be the start of a long, fruitful career in cricket.”

“Coca-Cola are one of our longest-serving sponsors and we treasure the partnership we have had with them for a very long period of time,” commented CSA Acting Chief Executive Thabang Moroe. “The Coca-Cola T20 Schools Tournament can be regarded as our version of the FA Cup as it potentially gives every school the chance to compete first for provincial, then franchise and finally national honours.

“I am very excited about the All-Star initiative and the fact that some of our Hubs players will get the chance to play on a major stage,” concluded Mr. Moroe.

The three-day national finals will take place at the University of Pretoria Cricket Oval from 16-18 March, and will see the six franchise winners, as well as two of the best schools out of CSA’s Focus Schools programme, battle it out to be named the 2018 Coca-Cola Schools T20 Challenge champions.

To engage with the tournament online, search #WhereHeroesAreMade on Twitter or visit @CocaCola_ZA and @OfficialCSA

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Media Contact

Shawn Belluigi

Email: shawn@intunecom.co.za

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