Coca-Cola® Schools T20 Challenge, with a rich
history of developing cricket heroes kickstarts the Franchise Final phase of
the competition. This is where aspiring cricketers will have an opportunity to
compete against the best talent across the country. The 2019 programme will see 6 franchise teams
advance from this phase to the National Finals that are set to take place at
the University of Pretoria from 15 – 17 March 2019.
The finest of South African school’s cricket talent
will be competing under the watchful eye of the new Coca-Cola® Schools T20
Challenge ambassador, Paul Harris. Harris
is a former Proteas bowler that has plied his trade in the set-up as a key
influence in the team’s victories.
As the Coca-Cola® Schools T20 Provincial finals
draws to a close, it has come to a stage where fans will see which schools will
represent their respective franchises at the Coca-Cola® Schools T20 National Finals
at the University of Pretoria.
The next step for the participating schools which
won their respective provincial finals are set to play against the other provincial
final winners in their local franchise finals to see who will represent the Lions,
Titans, Warriors, Cobras, Knights and Dolphins.
Nevertheless, all is not lost for those that
have not made it to the national finals. There is still an opportunity to play
for the Coca-Cola® All Star Team against a Cricket South Africa hub side on the
final day of the tournament. There is a long tradition of players who were
spotted in this competition and have gone on to play at a higher level which
proves there is a lot to play for in the tournament.
Puso Makume, Sponsorship Manager Coca-Cola® South
Africa, pointed out that the Coca-Cola® Schools T20 Challenge is a tournament
that identifies cricketing talent from over 700 schools around the country. “We
are thrilled to be part of this sporting event that gives young players an opportunity
to become provincial, franchise and finally national champions.”
Makume continues, “This is another effort by
Coca-Cola® to cast the net wider for talent to be discovered and offer a once
in a lifetime opportunity to be scouted. This is one of our commitments to cricket
development and trust that the young players on the crease will do their best
and most importantly make memories with their fellow peers.”
While
there are many current Proteas players who played in the tournament, there are many
more future players that have emerged through this tournament. A great example
of such players includes 19-year-old Warriors star Sinethemba Qeshile and SA
U19 cricket player Matthew Montgomery.
Sinethemba
Qeshile captained Hudson Park High School in the Coca-Cola® Schools T20
Challenge National Finals. His team made it to the final of the tournament
before losing to St Stithians College in 2017. Qeshile was the 5th highest run
scorer in the tournament, making 735 runs including 7 fifties at an average of 52.5.
Matthew
Montgomery was a member of the 2018 Coca-Cola® All Star team that went to the Coca-Cola®
Schools T20 Challenge National Finals. He’s had a fantastic start to his career
for KwaZulu-Natal Coastal where he hit 104 on debut in the CSA Provincial
One-Day Challenge and followed that with 56 not out. He has also scored a fifty
in the CSA Provincial 3-day series. He is currently captaining the SA U19 team
in India.
The previous winners of the tournament are:
2010
- Menlo Park
2011
- Waterkloof
2012
- Paarl Boys High
2013
- Rondebosch
2014
- St Stithians
2015
- Menlo Park
2016
- St Stithians
2017
- St Stithians
2018
- St Andrew’s School
[ENDS]
Media Contact
Shawn Belluigi
Tel: 083 675
4338
Email: shawn@intunecom.co.za
Nthabiseng
Mokoena
Tel:
0814840560
Email: nthabim@playmakers.co.za
About
The Coca-Cola® Company
The Coca-Cola® Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries. In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola® brands, our portfolio includes some of the world’s most valuable beverage brands, such as AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater and ZICO coconut water. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, bringing economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at Coca-Cola® Journey at www.Coca-Cola® company.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
The Coca-Cola® Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries. In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola® brands, our portfolio includes some of the world’s most valuable beverage brands, such as AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater and ZICO coconut water. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, bringing economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at Coca-Cola® Journey at www.Coca-Cola® company.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
