KFC COMMITS TO CONTINUED SUPPORT OF MINI CRICKET, T20 INTERNATIONALS AND THE PROTEAS

As South Africa continues to tap into our resilience as a nation during this challenging period, KFC and Cricket South Africa (CSA) are thrilled to announce the renewal of their partnership to keep the Protea fire burning by investing in the sport of cricket. The renewal of the formidable partnership that started just over a decade ago sees KFC retain its position as the title sponsor of the T20 internationals with CSA, official partner to the Proteas and official sponsor of the flagship, KFC Mini-Cricket programme.

While the COVID-19 pandemic crisis continues to redefine life as we know it; South Africans will also face the socio-economic challenges that will come as a result of it. Amidst such uncertainty, KFC acknowledges its role as a pillar of the South African sporting community by showing unwavering support of South African Cricket, a sport that continues to unite us all.

“KFC believes sport is a great catalyst to truly unite and give hope. As a brand that operates in communities all over SA and one that is passionate about investing in those communities, it is paramount that we are part of the solution,” said Dhruv Kaul, Chief Marketing Officer of KFC South Africa.  

“We are aware, more than ever, that sport also remains a major contributor to economic and social development in this beautiful country. We continue to be proud of the partnership with one of South Africa’s most loved sports. In this next chapter, we look forward to continuing the growth of one of the biggest sporting grassroots development programmes, partnering with our Proteas team and their fans at T20 International matches and supporting national cricket at the highest level,” concludes Kaul.

“CSA is delighted about this decision by KFC and we are excited for the sport of cricket and its development that this strategic partnership with KFC is being extended. We are particularly excited that our continued association with a strong brand like KFC will further advance the game of cricket and help to unearth new talent for the overall purpose of ensuring the sustainability of our cricket pipeline structures”, said Jacques Faul, Acting Chief Executive Office for Cricket South Africa.

The renewed partnership will be for five years and three years, respectively. KFC will also continue being the Protea’s Official Restaurant for the next five years.

KFC T20 International Series promises to be Bucket loads of Fun

The legendary KFC Big Bucket experience is back, bigger and better than ever! The KFC T20 International series promises Bucket loads Of Fun, with the Proteas hosting international giants England and Australia at six tantalising matches across the country between 12 and 26 February.

Fans will once again be afforded the opportunity to rub shoulders with their favourite Protea players and celebrities inside the KFC Big Bucket at each of the six matches. The iconic Big Bucket promises to give fans an epic experience and an exclusive vantage point at the stadium as they share the excitement of the KFC T20 series over a finger lickin’ good meal alongside family and friends. Over and above this, during the innings break, KFC will also have unique activations that will give fans an opportunity to win awesome KFC prizes.

To stand a chance to win an all - expenses paid KFC Big Bucket experience for themselves and three friends, fans simply need to buy any KFC bucket meal at any KFC outlet across the country and WhatsApp a clear copy of their till slip to 087 152 0605. On match day, cricket fans at the stadium can stand a chance to win a seat upgrade to the KFC Big Bucket to enjoy food and drinks if they simply spot the Colonel and post a picture of themselves with the Colonel on major social media platforms using #KFCBigBucket.

“KFC continues to place the fan experience at the heart of the KFC T20 International Series. Every season, we look for fun, exciting and disruptive ways to give our customers unforgettable experiences and the KFC Big Bucket is one such way that we are able to do this for fans,” says KFC brand representative. “This season, the KFC Big Bucket will be bigger, better and deliver even more Bucket loads Of Fun – and we cannot wait to reveal all the other great things we have in store for fans.”

Tickets for the KFC T20 International Series can be bought at www.ticketpros.co.za. The fixtures are:

South Africa vs England

12 February – 1^st KFC T20I, Buffalo Park, East London

14 February – 2^nd KFC T20I, Kingsmead, Durban

16 February – 3^rd KFC T20I, SuperSport Park, Centurion

South Africa vs Australia

21 February – 1^st KFC T20I, Imperial Wanderers, Johannesburg

23 February – 2^nd KFC T20I, St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

26 February – 3^rd KFC T20I, Newlands, Cape Town

Competition runs from the 24 January to 9 February 2020. For more information, follow @KFCSA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and follow all the action on #KFCBigBucket

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.

Lenore Ciolli – KFC Mini-Cricket Coach

Retired Rondebosch Boys Primary School Teacher, Lenore Ciolli is one of the longest lasting KFC Mini-Cricket coaches in the country having initiated her KFC Mini-Cricket journey in 1983, the same year that Cricket South Africa started the programme.

In 1983, the then school sports administrator, Mr Pieter Minnar, walked into the staff room and informed the teachers that the school was starting a new cricket programme and he wanted volunteers. Lenore did not know much about cricket but the programme sounded like something exciting so she joined the programme as the schools U9 coach.

Pieter was introduced to the programme by none other than the late Bob Woolmer.

Initially there were only four schools in her area that took part in KFC Mini-Cricket, Rondebosch Primary School, Bishops, SACS and Wynberg, now there are 14 schools with 384 kids that take part.

She has been able to meet some amazing people I her journey. In 1995 she got to meet Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, when they visited the country and went to a KFC Mini-Cricket festival in Langa.

When Gary Kirsten was still a player he used to attend some of the KFC Mini-Cricket Provincial festivals at Newlands. It was always a highlight for the kids and coaches to meet him and get some coaching tips.

When Australia visited South Africa in 1994, Jonty Rhodes and Shane Warne were walking past a festival at Newlands where they saw the kids and stopped to watch the cricket. Needless to say, the kids were so excited to meet their heroes.

Lenore has help the Western Province Cricket union in everything from ticketing to being a team manager. She even serves as the chairperson of the union for a while but she has never strayed from KFC Mini-Cricket. She just loves the sport, loves the kids and enjoys watching children having fun. Her reward is a big smile.

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 114 000 kids from over 5500 schools active in the KFC Mini-Cricket programme who are coached by nearly 9000 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 CSA T20 Challenge.