The Lions Cricket Awards evening was one of acknowledgement of\u00a0 the top tier wins of the CSA Women\u2019s Provincial T20 Cup; the Mens CSA One Day Cup; the Deaf Cricket Inter-Provincial Tournament and the Blind Cricket South Africa One Day Cup. Lions Cricket also took home the trophies at the National T20 schools tournament and National Hubs Challenge. Over and above the wins however, it was a celebration of the powerful pipeline and club community cricket \u2013 tomorrow\u2019s heroes and heroines, chomping at the bit to break into the Pride any innings now.<\/p>\n
Our DP World Ladies and DP World Mens teams, our Blind Cricket team, Deaf Cricket team as well as our Hubs have all added to our ever-swelling trophy cabinets. Our invaluable partners have maintained their backing of Lions Cricket, and the people of our cricketing eco-system have stepped up every day, in every way. Add to that another special Pink Day ODI at the DP World Wanderers where over R1 million was raised to fight breast cancer and create awareness; over 200\u00a0000 tickets were issued throughout the 2022\/2023 season at our iconic DP World Wanderers; 7 x SA20 games including the semi-final and final; an International Test Match, ODI and T20; multiple club and school matches; the Black Widow Premier League Finals; the Macrocomm Saturday Knockout Final and the ever-growing Diadora Jozi Cup.<\/p>\n
Then there is the on-going DP World Wanderers Stadium redesign strategy with yoga; BRM retail; Wanderers Sports Medical Centre with doctors, physiotherapists, optometrists, dentists and so much more. The tenants enjoy the fruits of the first 5G stadium on the African continent. Another noteworthy win was The Hungry Heart Nutrition Programme which saw in excess of 2800 club cricketers being nourished this season.<\/p>\n
On the business side of the boundary, Lions Cricket celebrated their move up to a Level 2 BEE Contributor. From a people point of view, one can\u2019t look past the invaluable Sherina Desai who tonight received the Presidential Award from Lions Cricket President Anne Vilas. Affectionately known as \u201cAunty She\u201d, the Pride has enjoyed the service of this dedicated, caring, knowledgeable teammate for 21 years \u2013 and counting.<\/p>\n
Lions Cricket President Anne Vilas said that the night was about honoring big and small, from top to bottom;<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled with our 7 Protea men and 4 Protea women players as well as the 6 Protea u19 players recently selected to play against Bangladesh . We\u2019re proud of our hubs, clubs, schools, universities, and communities \u2013 from players, administrators, fans and partners, we have maintained solid sportsmanship, played the game the best way we know how and can hold our heads high. We also bid a fond farewell to our former Head Coach Wandile Gwavu as he moves on to National duty. A big thank you to our staff who go above and beyond, making sure that everything we have done this season has been done \u201cThe Lions Way\u201d \u2013 with a professionalism and passion that we are exceptionally proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is with a heavy heart that Lions Cricket bid farewell this season to stalwarts of the game Joseph Leon Pamensky (8 March 2023) and Ronald Vergie (21 February 2023). May their souls rest in peace.<\/p>\n
Head of Cricket Services at Lions Cricket, Reuben Mandlazi commends not only the evenings winners, but those who have served the game beyond the call of duty;<\/p>\n
\u201cOur off-field wins are a direct result of consistency, communication and teamwork. Late nights, early mornings, most weekends: The people of our Pride have hosted world class tournaments; produced quality players and people; and created an environment in which we not only thrive, but we live, learn and lead as driven by our CEO Jono Leaf-Wright.\u201d<\/p>\n
So much more than just a game, Lions Cricket is proud of their past, thankful for the present, and passionate for a full future in which in the game continues to remain the epi-centre of #ThePrideOfJozi.<\/p>\n
Jono Leaf-Wright concludes that the Union will continue to strive to be the dominant force in domestic cricket and beyond;<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Pride packs a powerful punch. We look forward to positively impacting lives in all that we do, producing great players on the field, and even better people off it. The season ahead is going to be another exciting one where the Lion roars loudly and proudly.\u201d<\/p>\n
AWARD WINNERS:<\/strong><\/p>\n Lions Club Cricket Prize Winners:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Enza Premier League – Batter of the Season – Muhammed Manack<\/p>\n Lions Premier League – Batter of the Season – Rashaad Fuller<\/p>\n DP World Women’s League – Batter of the Season – Bianca Booyjens<\/p>\n Enza Premier League – Bowler of the Season – Marco Biljon<\/p>\n Lions Premier League – Bowler of the Season – Ussad Ullah<\/p>\n DP World Women’s League – Bowler of the Season – Samantha Swanepoel<\/p>\n Enza Premier League – Player of the Season – Muhammed Manack<\/p>\n Lions Premier League – Player of the Season – Doug Gird<\/p>\n Black Widow T20 League – Player of the Season Section A (men) \u2013 Kwena Maphaka<\/p>\n Black Widow T20 League – Player of the Season Section B (men) \u2013 Nicholas Whitelaw<\/p>\n Black Widow T20 League – Player of the Season (women) -Bianca Booyjens<\/p>\n Telkom Club of the Season – Delfos Cricket Club<\/p>\n Sunbet Fair Play Award \u2013 Jeppe Cricket Club<\/p>\n Lions Match Officials Prize Winners:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Beyers Umpire’s Award: Zuber Saleh<\/p>\n Beyers Scorer’s Award: Natasha Nyoni<\/p>\n Lions Club Cricket League Winners:<\/strong><\/p>\n Enza Premier\u00a0League Overall Winner: Delfos Cricket Club<\/p>\n Lions\u00a0 Premier\u00a0League Overall Winner: Pirates Cricket Club<\/p>\n Enza Premier\u00a0League Section A (Time): 1st – KHOSA Cricket Club<\/p>\n Enza Premier\u00a0League Section B (Time): 1st – GM Old Edwardians Cricket Club<\/p>\n Lions\u00a0 Premier\u00a0League Section A (Time): 1st – Pirates Cricket Club<\/p>\n Lions\u00a0 Premier\u00a0League Section B (Time): 1st<\/sup> – Jeppe Cricket Club<\/p>\n Enza Premier\u00a0League (50 overs): 1st – Wits University Cricket Club<\/p>\n Lions\u00a0 Premier\u00a0League (50 overs): 1st – Pirates Cricket Club<\/p>\n Black Widow T20 Competition – Premier A (men) – 1st – Delfos Cricket Club<\/p>\n Black Widow T20 Competition – Premier B (men) – 1st – University of Johannesburg Cricket Club<\/p>\n Black Widow T20 Competition (women) – 1st – Wanderers Cricket Club<\/p>\n DP World Premier League (Women) – 1st – Wanderers Cricket Club<\/p>\n Lions Women’s Presidents League – 1st – Dobsonville Cricket Club<\/p>\n Presidents League – Section A Overall Winner – 1st – KHOSA Cricket Club<\/p>\n Presidents League – Section B Overall Winner – 1st – Randfontein Cricket Club<\/p>\n Presidents League – Section A (Time) – 1st – GM Old Edwardians Cricket Club<\/p>\n Presidents League – Section B (Time) – 1st – Randfontein Cricket Club<\/p>\n Presidents League – Section A (50 overs) – 1st – KHOSA Cricket Club<\/p>\n Presidents League – Section B (50 Overs) – 1st – Randfontein Cricket Club<\/p>\n Sunday One – 1st – Azad Swaraj Cricket Club<\/p>\n Sunday Two – 1st – Jeppe Cricket Club<\/p>\n Sunday Three – 1st – Azaadville Cricket Club<\/p>\n Sunday Four – 1st – Jubileum Cricket Club<\/p>\n Sunday Five – 1st – Azad Swaraj Cricket Club<\/p>\n Sunday Six – 1st – Big Bom Lenasia Cricket Club<\/p>\n Sunday Seven – 1st – GM Old Edwardians Cricket Club<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lions Club Cricket Saturday Competition:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Macrocomm Lions T20 Knockout – 1st – University of Johannesburg Cricket Club<\/p>\n Saturday One – 1st – GM Old Edwardians Cricket Club<\/p>\n Saturday Two – 1st – University of Johannesburg Cricket Club<\/p>\n Saturday Three – 1st – Puntans Hill Sports Club<\/p>\n Saturday Four – 1st – Sandton Tigers Cricket Club<\/p>\n Saturday Five\u00a0 – 1st – Old Parktonians Cricket Club<\/p>\n Saturday Six – 1st – Old Lions Cricket Club<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Lions Youth Cricket Awards:<\/strong><\/p>\n Under 16 Boys Player of the Season\u00a0 – No Award as the CSA tournament was rained out<\/p>\n Under 16 Girls Player of the Season – Sinako Mahlombe<\/p>\n Under 18 Boys Player of the Season – Christopher King<\/p>\n Under 18 Girls Player of the Season\u00a0\u00a0 – Kaylee van Rooyen<\/p>\n McDonald\u2019s School of the Season – Jeppe High School for Girls<\/p>\n Mini Cricket Coach of the Year – Ayanda Mahleka<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lions Colts \/ Academy Prize Winners:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Batter of the Season\u00a0 – Muhammad Manack<\/p>\n Bowler of the Season – Marco van Biljon<\/p>\n Telkom Lions Player of the Season\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 – Muhammad Manack<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Lions Blind Cricket Prize Winners:<\/strong><\/p>\n Batter of the Season\u00a0 – Isaac Bidla<\/p>\n Bowler of the Season -Doctor Malinga (B1)<\/p>\n Most Improved Player of the Season – Siyavuya Mahlikihla<\/p>\n Fidelity Player of the Season – Buhle Bhidla<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lions Deaf Cricket Prize Winners:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Batter of the Season – Sivesh Poonsamy-Muthoo<\/p>\n Bowler of the Season – Colin Venter<\/p>\n Fielder of the Season – Clifford Letsoalo<\/p>\n Ellies Player of the Season – Sivesh Poonsamy-Muthoo<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DP World Lions (Women):\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n CSA 50 Over Competition<\/p>\n – Batter of the Season – Kirstie Thomson<\/p>\n – Bowler of the Season – Lehlohonolo Sardick<\/p>\n – Fielder of the Season – Palesa Mapoo<\/p>\n CSA T20 Competition<\/p>\n – Batter of the Season – Kirstie Thomson<\/p>\n – Bowler of the Season – Yolani Fourie<\/p>\n – Fielder of the Season – Sarah Nettleton<\/p>\n Afripure New Comer of the Season – Sunette Viljoen-Louw<\/p>\n Afripure Most Improved Player of the Season – Samantha Schutte<\/p>\n Planet Fitness Fitness Award – Raisibe Ntozakhe<\/p>\n McDonalds Player’s Player of the Season – Yolani Fourie<\/p>\n DP World Lions Player of the Season – Yolani Fourie<\/p>\n McDonalds Fan’s Player of the Season – \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lehlohonolo Sardick<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DP World Lions (Men)<\/strong><\/p>\n CSA 4-Day Series<\/p>\n – Batter of the Season – Ryan Rickelton<\/p>\n – Bowler of the Season – Bjorn Fortuin<\/p>\n – Fielder of the Season \u2013 Ryan Rickelton<\/p>\n CSA 1-Day Cup<\/p>\n – Batter of the Season – Ryan Rickelton<\/p>\n – Bowler of the Season – Sisanda Magala<\/p>\n – Fielder of the Season \u2013 Joshua Richards<\/p>\n CSA T20 Challenge<\/p>\n – Batter of the Season – Wiaan Mulder<\/p>\n – Bowler of the Season – Lutho Sipamla<\/p>\n – Fielder of the Season \u2013 Mitchell van Buuren<\/p>\n BAS New Comer of the Season – Evan Jones<\/p>\n Masana Most Improved Player of the Season – Connor Esterhuizen<\/p>\n Planet Fitness Fitness Award – Mitchell van Buuren<\/p>\n McDonalds Player’s Player of the Season – Ryan Rickelton<\/p>\n DP World Player of the Season \u2013 Ryan Rickelton<\/p>\n McDonalds Fan’s Player of the Season – Mitchell van Buuren<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Milestone Awards<\/strong><\/p>\n 50 T20 Internationals: Reeza Hendricks; Kagiso Rabada<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Special Recognition Award – “Call Beyond Duty”:<\/strong><\/p>\n Hungry Heart Award\u00a0 – Riverlea Cricket Club<\/p>\n Hungry Heart Program Award \u2013 Riverlea Cricket Club<\/p>\n Beyond The Boundary Award – Puntans Hill Sports Club<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lions Presidential Awards<\/strong><\/p>\n Winner \u2013 Sherina Desai<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n National Representatives (1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023):<\/strong><\/p>\n DP World Lions Mens: Temba Bavuma; Wiaan Mulder; Bjorn Fortuin; Sisanda Magala; Rassie van der Dussen; Mitchell van Buuren; Ryan Rickelton; Joshua Richards; Wandile Gwavu; Reeza Hendricks; Duanne Olivier; Kagiso Rabada; Evan Jones; Lutho Sipamla.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DP World Lions Ladies: Jenna Evans; Ayabonga Khaka; Karabo Meso; Refilwe Moncho; Khanyisile Nkosi; Raisibe Ntozakhe; Kaylee van Rooyen; Diara Ramlakan; Tumi Sekhukhune; Oluhle Siyo; Thristan Cronje, Robyn Kamerman.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lions Blind Cricket: Buhle Bhidla (B2); Buhle Bhidla (B2); Lwande Bhidla (B3); Isaac Bidla (B2); Siyavuya Mahlikihla (B3); Doctor Malinga (B1); Johan Schroeder (B1); Victor Ntsinde (B1); Cyril Mdhlalose (B1); Michael da Silva, Lethabo Bidli.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lions Deaf Cricket: Colin Venter; Sivesh Poonsamy-Muthoo, Shani de Jager Gareth Harries, Rivaj Ramjugernath, Shannon van der Berg.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n SA Under 19: Liam Alder, Thebe Gazide, Ronan Herrmann, Kwena Maphaka, Richard Seletswane; David Teeger; Christopher King.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n SA Under 19 Women\u2019s Physio: Sheenagh Jordaan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n National Contracted Players:<\/strong><\/p>\n Temba Bavuma; Bjorn Fortuin; Reeza Hendricks; Ayabonga Khaka; Sisanda Magala;<\/p>\n Kagiso Rabada; Ryan Rickelton; Tumi Sekhukhune; Rassie van der Dussen, Sinalo Jafta, Chlo\u00e9 Tryon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"