JOHANNESBURG: In a year marked by exceptional talent and promising performances, Cricket South Africa (CSA) is set to honour the country’s future stars at the CSA Pathway Awards, taking place on 31 July at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.
The event will highlight top-performing schoolboy and schoolgirl cricketers, as well as individuals involved in CSA’s broader development programmes. Coaches, scorers, and others involved in the cricket development pathway will also be acknowledged for their efforts over the past year.
At the grassroots level, the KFC Mini-Cricket programme continues to play a central role. Awards will be presented to the Coach of the Year and Coordinator of the Year, acknowledging the volunteer coaches and coordinators who have made a consistent contribution in their regions.
Additionally, the KFC Bucket Loads of Good award will recognise an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the long-standing Mini-Cricket programme, reflecting CSA and KFC’s appreciation for community heroes.
A commitment to inclusivity in cricket is evident in its continued support for a wide range of initiatives. These include the Regional Performance Centres & Hubs programme, along with support for the ancillaries, including Blind, Deaf and Intellectually Impaired Cricket, as well as Learners with Special Education Needs.
The Pathway Awards will honour top performers from these initiatives, as well as award the CSA Scorers’ Association of the Year, the Groundsman of the Year, and the top performers in various tournaments, including rural cricket, veterans cricket, SA Forces, and the CSA Community Cup.
This year’s ceremony will include the first-ever awards for the Schools SA20 Boys and Girls Player of the Tournament, following the inaugural Schools SA20 competition.
There will also be recognition for performances at the 2024/25 National Youth Weeks, including the U16 Boys Week, Khaya Majola Week, and the U16 and U19 Girls Weeks.
The Pathway Awards breakfast will culminate in the announcement of the CSA U19 Men’s Player of the Year, Student Cricketer of the Year, Women’s Provincial Player of the Year and Men’s and Women’s Domestic Newcomer of the Season.
CSA Executive: Domestic Cricket, Edward Khoza commented:
“The Pathway Awards are about more than just celebrating performances on the field. They’re about shining a light on the hard work, time, and passion that so many people put into developing cricket in South Africa. From coaches and coordinators to scorers and volunteers, each of them plays a vital role in helping young cricketers take their first steps in the game.
“We congratulate all the nominees and those who will be recognised at the breakfast. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. And to the players, let these honours be a step along the way, keep pushing forward, keep striving, and keep growing in the game.”
Source: cricket.co.za
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