{"id":77748,"date":"2025-07-18T11:58:24","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T09:58:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=77748"},"modified":"2025-07-18T11:58:24","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T09:58:24","slug":"kfc-mini-cricket-celebrating-grassroots-champions-at-the-csa-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=77748","title":{"rendered":"KFC Mini-Cricket: Celebrating Grassroots Champions at the CSA Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"CSAJOHANNESBURG:\u00a0<\/strong>Cricket South Africa (CSA), in partnership with KFC, is proud to spotlight the unsung heroes of grassroots cricket as part of the upcoming\u00a0CSA\u00a0Pathway Awards, focusing on the individuals nominated in the KFC Mini-Cricket Coach and Coordinator of the Year categories.<\/p>\n

These awards honour the people who help build the foundation of cricket in South Africa. KFC Mini-Cricket reaches thousands of children across all provinces, providing not only access to the sport but also creating a pathway for future talent to be identified and developed<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s nominees for the KFC Mini-Cricket Coach of the Year include Makgokolotso Moremoholo (Free State), Rozanne Steenkamp (Boland), Phillip Mapheto (Limpopo) and Ntombikayise Patience Xongo (Kei).<\/p>\n

In the KFC Mini-Cricket Coordinator of the Year category, Aventhea Kearns (Boland), Bongani Gwamanda (KZN Inland), Nation Ntlame (North West) and Ofentse Ranoto (Titans) have been nominated for their notable contributions to the programme\u2019s operations in their respective regions in the 2024\/25 season.<\/p>\n

From running festivals, clinics, and school matches to mentoring volunteers and working with schools and parents, the coaches and coordinators\u2019\u00a0 dedication is felt at the heart of their local communities.<\/p>\n

Speaking on the importance of recognising the KFC Mini-Cricket coaches and coordinators and their impact on grassroots cricket,\u00a0CSA\u00a0Mass Participation Manager, Buhle Vaphi, commented:<\/p>\n

\u201cThese awards are more than just a title, it\u2019s a reminder that the heart of cricket in South Africa beats in our schools, on dusty fields, and in communities where kids first fall in love with the game. Recognising these volunteers and coordinators means we\u2019re acknowledging where it all begins.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese coaches and coordinators give their time, often after hours and on weekends, with no expectation of recognition. But their impact? It\u2019s long-lasting. Many of our national players once stood in line behind cones, waiting for their turn to bat, guided by a coach just like the ones we\u2019re honouring now.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re everything: teacher, motivator, sometimes even a second parent. When a six-year-old picks up a plastic bat for the first time, it\u2019s the coach\u2019s energy and kindness that shapes whether they feel confident or shy, excited or overwhelmed.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoordinators, behind the scenes, make sure there are enough balls, kits, and games for those kids to play. Without these volunteers, the system doesn\u2019t move. They make sure cricket is accessible, fun, and a safe space for all kids, no matter where they come from.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo every coach and coordinator across South Africa, you are the heartbeat of this programme. Whether you\u2019ve just started or have been involved for years, know this: you are building more than players, you\u2019re building people. Every time you show up, even when it\u2019s hard, you\u2019re moving the legacy forward. These awards might spotlight a few, but they honour all of you. So let\u2019s keep going, together,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Andra Nel, Head of Corporate Affairs KFC Africa, said:<\/p>\n

“It is through the devotion of coaches and volunteers nationwide that the programme continues to level the playing field and inspire the next generation. The programme is more than a game, it is an opportunity to build confidence, nurture talent, foster equality, confidence, and resilience to create lasting impact, one child at a time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are proud to stand beside you and celebrate every one of you who makes it possible.”<\/p>\n

The KFC Bucket Loads of Good Award will also be presented to an individual who has made a lasting difference in their community beyond their role in the game.<\/p>\n

Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

JOHANNESBURG:\u00a0Cricket South Africa (CSA), in partnership with KFC, is proud to spotlight the unsung heroes of grassroots cricket as part of the upcoming\u00a0CSA\u00a0Pathway Awards, focusing on the individuals nominated in the KFC Mini-Cricket Coach and Coordinator of the Year categories. These awards honour the people who help build the foundation of cricket in South Africa. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":30086,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-77748","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77748","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=77748"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77748\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/30086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=77748"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=77748"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=77748"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}