KFC Mini-Cricket Regional Festival: Limpopo - 18-19 May 2021

 

It has been over a year in the making but the wait is finally over for aspiring cricketers as the KFC Mini-Cricket programme resumed its on-field action this month and recently held KFC Mini-Cricket Regional Festivals in Limpopo earlier this week

 

Over the two days of socially distanced fun, excitement and promising displays at the crease, Cricket South Africa (CSA) in partnership with KFC visited Phalaborwa on Tuesday, 18 May, where they hosted Rethusitswe Primary and Phondo Primary, along with 68 kids and 22 volunteer coaches.

 

The next day, the festivities moved to Bochum in Polokwane, where a similar number of boys and girls, and their coaches from Rapoho Primary, Mangwoto Primary and Maswene Primary, got to interact with CSA mascot, ZAC as well as Proteas Team Manager, Kgomotso ‘Volvo’ Masubulele – who is originally from Limpopo.

 

These KFC Mini-Cricket Regional Festivals form part of a 2020/21 KFC Mini-Cricket season relaunch undertaken by CSA to help provide an enjoyable but more importantly, safe environment for the kids to get active after a prolonged absence due to the restrictions caused by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

 

Ahead of the resumption, to ensure the players, coaches and teachers’ safety, KFC Mini-Cricket identified non-hotspot regions across the country where non-contact school sport can take place.

 

They have also procured Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sanitisers for all participating schools, provided extra playing equipment to limit sharing between players, as well as arrange additional personnel to help facilitate the COVID-19 protocols for each school.

 

CSA’s Mass Participation Coordinator, Buhle Motshegoa is pleased with how the Limpopo-leg of the KFC Mini-Cricket Regional Festivals went, highlighting the immense passion for the game that exists, as well as the bright talent on show in the province. A province that produced the likes of former Proteas Women’s star, Mercia Letsoalo, Titans coach, Mandla Mashimbyi and legendary South African fast bowler, Dale Steyn.

 

“We are extremely happy that the 2020/21 KFC Mini-Cricket season was able to get underway in the form of the Regional Festivals and that we once again get to see our mini cricketers and coaches play with smiles on their faces,” Motshegoa commented.

 

“As soon as we arrived in Phalaborwa, you could sense the positive energy, and passion for the sport in all those involved in making the two-day cricketing spectacle a resounding success, while we adhered to the strict COVID-19 health regulations.

 

“Although getting kids active in a fun and enjoyable way is the main goal, we also got to witness some sensational talent on the field, between both the boys and girls. This bodes well, not only for the growth of the KFC Mini-Cricket programme but also for the South African cricket pipeline,” she added.

 

About KFC Mini-Cricket:

 

KFC Mini-Cricket provides a platform for kids in South Africa to have fun and get active. KFC Mini-Cricket is the largest grassroots development sports programme in South Africa and is also an essential building block for learning cricketing basics and entrenching a love for the game.

 

As of the 2019/2020 season, there are 126 642 kids from 6617 schools active in the KFC Mini-Cricket programme who are coached by 13 673 volunteer coaches. KFC has sponsored KFC Mini-Cricket since 2010 and in the 2012/13 cricket season KFC became the title sponsor of the KFC T20 Internationals.

 

For more information, please visit https://order.kfc.co.za/minicricket/minicrickethome.

 

Image List (With Captions):

 

• Paballo Mogofe (Ruthusitwe Primary School) showing great bowling technique as the action heats up during the 2021 KFC Mini Cricket Regional Festival at Ruthusitwe Primary School in Phalaborwa on the 18 May 2021 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

 

• Dumisani Manyama (Thusetso Primary School) getting ready to execute a beautiful pull shot during the 2021 KFC Mini Cricket Regional Festival at Ruthusitwe Primary School in Phalaborwa on the 18 May 2021 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

 

• CSA Mascot ZAC posing with KFC Mini-Cricket team from Rethusitswe Primary after getting active during the 2021 KFC Mini Cricket Regional Festival at Ruthusitwe Primary School in Phalaborwa on the 18 May 2021 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

 

• Volvo Masubelele (CSA Protea Team Manager) coaches Moloko Mapasha (Magwato Primary School) during the 2021 KFC Mini Cricket Activation at Rapoho Primary School in Bochum on the 19 May 2021 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

 

• Issac Senatla (Framework U16 Boys) helping Dimakatso Diala (Rapoho Primary School) with her bowling action during the 2021 KFC Mini Cricket Activation at Rapoho Primary School in Bochum on the 19 May 2021 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

KFC Big Bucket flavour at the KFC T20 International Series

KFC Big Bucket flavour at the KFC T20 International Series

Get In The KFC Big Bucket Fan Competition

With the South African summer comes great days out with your mates, watching your favourite cricketing heroes battling it out in the best stadiums across the country. This summer, KFC brings the KFC T20 International Series with that finger lickin’ good finish!

Ahead of this season’s KFC T20 International Series against Pakistan, KFC is calling all cricket fans to join in the fun and stand a chance to win a Get In the KFC Big Bucket #KFCBigBucket experience – a fan competition like no other.

By simply getting you and four mates to any of the Proteas vs Pakistan KFC T20 International Series matches, you can stand a chance to get the ultimate fan upgrade into the larger-than-life KFC Big Bucket. The KFC Bucket will be positioned to give fans the exclusive view in the ovals, an opportunity to rub shoulders with your favourite Proteas player, KFC giveaways and of course with good times comes good food – what more could one ask for?

Thabisa Mkhwanazi, KFC Public Affairs Director says “The KFC bucket is synonymous with bringing friends and families together in sharing finger lickin good experiences, which is what inspired us to take the iconic KFC bucket to one of our nation’s most loved sport. The KFC T20 International Series serves as a wonderful opportunity for KFC to not only affirm its commitment to serving everyone’s favourite chicken but to also be part of the best cricketing action in South Africa.  We look forward to bringing fans a little closer to the cricketing action and heroes through the #KFCBigBucket.”

To be part of the match day excitement and magic, cricket fans need to post a photo of themselves and their four mates on Twitter using #KFCBigBucket. Entries for the ultimate experience need to be shared before the end of the first innings for fans to stand a chance to watch 5 overs in the memorable #KFCBigBucket alongside a Proteas player.

“We are looking forward to competing at home against a very strong Pakistan side in the KFC T20,” commented Cricket South Africa CEO Thabang Moroe.

“With the excitement generated in the 50 over games, the T20 series provides for both teams the perfect lead-in to the ICC World Cup which is a few months away. Our partner KFC have come up with an exciting activation that many of our fans will enjoy and contribute immensely to the attractive spectator experience that we as CSA pride ourselves in.”

KFC encourages cricket fans to not miss out on this one-in-a-lifetime experience. To Get In The KFC Big Bucket with the #KFCBigBucket fans can purchase their tickets on  www.ticketpros.co.za.  The KFC T20 International Series Proteas vs Pakistan will be taking place 1,3 and 6 February 2019 in Cape Town PPC Newlands, SuperSport Park in Centurion & Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in the heart of Johannesburg.

For more information visit @KFCSA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and follow the action on #KFCBigBucket.

ENDS.

Notes to Editor:

• KFC has been the event sponsor of the KFC T20 Internationals since the 2013/14 cricket season.
• The 2012/13 cricket season also saw KFC becoming an associate of the CSA T20 Challenge.
• Both the T20 sponsorships resulted in KFC Mini-Cricket kids getting the opportunity to get active as ball boys and girls during the games as well as participating in the coin toss and national anthems prior at the KFC T20 international games.
• The “Get In The KFC Big Bucket” campaign will come alive at the 3 KFC T20 International Series matches against Pakistan.

THE BIGGEST TOUR OF THE SUMMER WRAPS UP IN CAPE TOWN

KFC Mini-Cricket kids looking to secure series win in final KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour match at PPC Newlands

 The KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour reaches its climax on Thursday, 18 February, at PPC Newlands, with the KFC Mini-Cricket kids taking on the Proteas in the final game of the season.

The KFC Mini-Cricket kids, who will be represented by St Andrews Primary School from Saldanha Bay, will be looking to claim a historical series victory over one of the best limited overs sides in the world.  The Proteas, who will be represented by ICC T20 World Cup squad memebers Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Imran Tahir and Rilee Rossouw, will be looking to level-up the series after their Duckworth-Lewis victory over the kids in Gauteng. 

Former Protea and South Africa’s most successful captain, Graeme Smith, will be taking over from compatriots Mfuneko Ngam and Neil McKenzie as coach of the KFC Mini-Cricket team. After his  first training session held today with the team at St Andrews Primary, Graeme spoke of his pride in the kids, “Win or lose, the KFC Mini-Cricket kids should be immensely proud of their performances this season.  To go up against the Proteas and be in a position where, going into the last game, they cannot lose the series, is an amazing achievement.  As a team we cannot wait for the game and I have full confidence that it will be the KFC Mini-Cricket kids holding the trophy aloft come Thursday afternoon at Newlands.”

Mike Middleton, Chief Marketing Officer for KFC South Africa, added his praise of the kids’ performances, “The KFC Mini-Cricket kids have done KFC proud!  No matter the result of the final match, I would like to congratulate all the KFC Mini-Cricket teams who have taken part in the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour this season.  We at KFC are proud of the fact that we are able to get kids active and closer to their heroes. I wish both the KFC Mini-Cricket kids and the Proteas luck for the final match in what has no doubt been our most successful KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour season to date.”

The Proteas will be looking for a win in the final game as a momentum builder ahead of a key period in their season which includes KFC T20 Internationals against England and Australia before heading to India for the ICC World T20. 

Star Proteas bowler Kagiso Rabada commented, “The KFC Mini-Cricket kids have been tough opponents this season.  We definitely won’t be underestimating them on Thursday.  The Proteas have had a brilliant time taking part in the KFC Kids vs Proteas Tour and we can’t wait to follow the progress of the KFC Mini-Cricket kids. ”

The Proteas will play St Andrews Primary School on 18 February 2016, make sure you follow the action on Facebook and Twitter using #KFCMiniCricket.

{ENDS}

Media Contact

Shawn Belluigi

Tel: 083 675 4338

Email: shawn@intunecom.co.za

About the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids v Proteas Tour

For the third year KFC will run a national competition where KFC Mini-Cricket kids will stand the chance to play against the Proteas in the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour.

Kids can enter online (www.kfcminicricket.co.za) or via USSD (*120*7535#).

The winners will be rewarded with a prize handover, a training session and a game against the Proteas, all assisted by one of the three KFC Mini_Cricket coaches, Graeme Smith, Neil McKenzie and Mfuneko Ngam.

The runners-up will be given the opportunity to participate as ball boys and girls at a televised Ram Slam T20 Challenge match in their area.

Three third place winners will be drawn, each of whom will be awarded with 25 KFC Mini-Cricket sets for their school.

About KFC Mini-Cricket

KFC Mini-Cricket provides a platform for kids in South Africa to have fun and get active.

KFC Mini-Cricket is the largest grassroots development sports programme in South Africa and is also an essential building block for learning cricketing basics and entrenching a love for the game. 

There are currently over 110 000 kids from over 4 900 schools active in the KFC Mini-Cricket programme who are coached by over 8000 volunteers.

KFC has sponsored KFC Mini-Cricket since 2010 and in the 2012/13 cricket season KFC became the title sponsor of the KFC T20 Internationals and an associate sponsor of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge.

KFC has recently renewed its Mini-Cricket sponsorship for a further 10 years, taking the partnership through to 2025.

Log on to www.kfcminicricket.co.za or contact CSA at (011) 880 2810 for more info on KFC Mini-Cricket.

Mgada Primary School’s KFC Mini-Cricket Kids to Challenge the Proteas

Mgada Primary School take the baton from Nomandi Junior Secondary School as the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs. Proteas Tour continues

After Nomandi Junior Secondary School’s victory over the Proteas in Mthatha, KFC is pleased to announce Mgada Primary School as the Proteas’ second opponent in the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour. Mgada Primary School will be looking to build on Nomandi Junior Secondary School’s stellar start for the KFC Mini-Cricket kids after they triumphed over the Proteas by 46 runs at the Khaya Majola Oval in Mthatha and put the KFC Mini-Cricket kids one up in the Tour. 

Speaking at Mgada Primary School after surprising them with a training session, Proteas Legend and KFC Mini-Cricket coach, Mfuneko Ngam, was beaming after his team’s win in the Eastern Cape and can’t wait for game two in Kwa-Zulu Natal.   “We really uncovered some amazing talent in Mthatha, my KFC Mini-Cricket kids put on a brilliant display against the Proteas.  Come game two we are looking to keep the momentum going before I hand over the reins to my fellow KFC Mini-Cricket coaches Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie,” said Ngam.

Mike Middleton, Chief Marketing Officer for KFC South Africa added, “The standard of cricket and the level of talent uncovered at Nomandi Junior Secondary school in our first KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour game really encapsulates what KFC Mini-Cricket is all about.  At KFC we take pride in the fact that we are able to get kids active and bring them closer to their cricketing heroes.  I wish to extend my congratulations to Mfuneko and his side on their stellar performance in Mthatha and I wish him and Mgada Primary School good luck for game two in Durban.”

The match between Mgada Primary School and the Proteas, taking place in Umlazi, will be the second in the four game KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour, with game one having already taken place in Mthatha and with further games taking place in Johannesburg and Cape Town.  In addition to Mfuneko Ngam, KFC have also signed-up legendary cricketers Neil Mckenzie and Graeme Smith who will also serve as KFC Mini-Cricket coaches during the Tour in Johannesburg and Cape Town respectively.

After the Proteas’ loss in Mthatha, Proteas bowler Wayne Parnell was impressed by the Eastern Cape KFC Mini-Cricket side and is looking to get his team back on track come game two.  “We were outplayed in game one but we are ready for Mgada Primary School and will be looking to level up the series in Durban. The kids from Nomandi were really on their game in Mthatha.  There are some amazingly talented young players in their KFC Mini-Cricket side and I can’t wait to follow their progress closely over the coming years.”

The Proteas play Mgada Primary School at the Comtech Hub field at Comptech Combined School on 24 November at 13:00. The event is open to the public.  Come down and support Kwa-Zulu Natal’s KFC Mini-Cricket kids and get closer to your heroes, the Proteas. 

Two spaces are still up for grabs for your primary school’s or cricket club’s KFC Mini-Cricket team to host and take on the Proteas.  Dial *120*7535# or visit www.kfcminicricket.co.za now to enter.

About the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids v Proteas Tour

For the third year KFC will run a national competition where KFC Mini-Cricket kids will stand the chance to play against the Proteas in the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour

Kids can enter online (www.kfcminicricket.co.za) or via USSD (*120*7535#)

The winners will be rewarded with a prize handover, a training session and a game against the Proteas, all assisted by one of the three KFC Mini_Cricket coaches, Graeme Smith, Neil McKenzie and Mfuneko Ngam.

The runners-up will be given the opportunity to participate as ball boys and girls at a televised Ram Slam T20 Challenge match in their area

Three third place winners will be drawn, each of whom will be awarded with 25 KFC Mini-Cricket sets for their school.

About KFC Mini-Cricket

KFC Mini-Cricket provides a platform for kids in South Africa to have fun and get active

KFC Mini-Cricket is the largest grassroots development sports programme in South Africa and is also an essential building block for learning cricketing basics and entrenching a love for the game. 

There are currently over 110 000 kids from over 4 900 schools active in the KFC Mini-Cricket programme who are coached by over 8000 volunteers

KFC has sponsored KFC Mini-Cricket since 2010 and in the 2012/13 cricket season KFC became the title sponsor of the KFC T20 Internationals and an associate sponsor of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge.

KFC has recently renewed its Mini-Cricket sponsorship for a further 10 years, taking the partnership through to 2025

Log on to www.kfcminicricket.co.za or contact CSA at (011) 880 2810 for more info on KFC Mini-Cricket

Ragini Moodley wins the KFC Mini-Cricket Coach of the year award

Ragini Moodley, a KFC Mini-Cricket coach from Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal, has won the 2014/15 KFC Mini-Cricket Coach of the Year award at this year's Cricket South Africa Breakfast Awards.

It takes huge dedication and passion from the over 8400 volunteer coaches who get over 110 000 kids from across the country active through the KFC Mini-Cricket programme. Over the last 24 years, Ragini has continuously gone over and above in her efforts to grow the KFC Mini-Cricket footprint in KwaZulu-Natal and give as many kids as possible the opportunity to learn the game.

Many of the kids whom Ragini coaches come from impoverished and disadvantaged backgrounds, however through her dedication to the KFC Mini-Cricket programme she is able to give these kids a positive and safe environment where they are able to learn the fundamentals of cricket, grow their love for the game and get active.

Ragini has also had a hand in introducing cricket to players like Trisha Chetty, Chloe Tyron, Cody Chetty and Johnathan Vandiar from the Sunfoil Dolphins.

Two lucky families jetting off to Australia with KFC!

This February two lucky families will be joining KFC and the Proteas Family for the ultimate family cricketing experience in Australia as they support the Proteas on the world’s biggest cricketing stage!

The Johannesburg based Coetzee family and the Vinger family from Bloemfontein were the randomly selected victors of the KFC competition.  These lucky families entered the Join the Proteas Family with KFC competition which launched in December 2014. To participate, passionate cricket fans either dialed *120*532#  or visited www.kfc.co.za/cricket and correctly answered a Proteas Family trivia question which then put them in line to win big with KFC.

“We still can’t believe we are going to Australia, my family and I are so excited and are counting the number of sleeps till we board that plane. We would like to wish the Proteas the best of luck for all their matches and we can’t wait to proudly wear our national colours and support them in Sydney” says Mr. Coetzee.

“We are excited to give our passionate cricket fans a larger-than-life experience that includes watching the Proteas in action because we, like our customers, are proud supporters of the Proteas team,” says Lizanne Bartlett, KFC Marketing Director.

The winning families will be jetting off to Australia on the 20^th of February, where they will be soaking up the cricket crazy atmosphere. The winning families will also get an opportunity to enjoy a number of breathtaking experiences such as a tour of the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), lunch overlooking stunning Bondi Beach and a trip to the amazing spellbinding Taranga Zoo in Sydney.

 “A word of thanks to everyone who took the time to enter and join our growing Proteas Family. To the winning families, we hope you have a memorable so good experience like no other in Australia” adds Bartlett.

To follow the journey of the KFC Join the Proteas Family experience, check out the latest updates on the KFC Facebook page

Thank you for being part of the KFC family! KFC So Good!