Globally schools sports have become increasingly competitive, and the creation of the Standard Bank Schools Pro20 Challenge follows this trend and also extends the bank’s long standing cricket sponsorship into South African schools.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Standard Bank’s pilot Pro20 Schools Challenge started on Wednesday, 20 January 2010 and is now well underway and producing some exciting results. 

CSA’s 15 cricket affiliates invited more than 340 cricket playing schools, seen as the next generation of cricket stars, to compete in the 2009-2010 Challenge.  As the only nationally coordinated amateur cricket programme, designed to develop and grow future cricketers of South Africa, CSA intends increasing the number of participating schools to 500 within three years.

“We wish to grow and nurture the future cricketers of South Africa, and have extended our support of the game and existing long term partnership with CSA through this sixth cricket sponsorship initiative.  The Standard Bank Schools Pro20 Challenge will assist in further developing an ongoing “pipeline” of cricketers for professional cricket in South Africa” states Clement Motale, Director Group Sponsorships Standard Bank.  

“Since the introduction of the Standard Bank Schools Pro20 Challenge, a positive vibe has been felt and the schools really need to be commended in bringing to the game a sense of camaraderie and school spirit.  This has created huge excitement and enthusiasm amongst the participating schools” states a proud CSA President, Dr Mtutuzeli Nyoka

The twenty-over competition has seen knock out round robin tournaments played in each of the 15 CSA cricket provinces. By the 8th March 2010, it will be down to the wire with the top provincial teams vying for a spot in the Franchise Finals on 20th March 2010.  Only six top teams will play in the Standard Bank Schools Pro20 Challenge final on 27-28 March 2010 at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria.

“Despite the difficulties with the rainy weather in most provinces we have managed to keep on track and to catch up considerably on the fixtures programme”, states Niels Momberg CSA’s Youth Cricket Manager,” the Standard Bank Schools Pro20 Challenge is definitely creating new opportunities. Many schools are enjoying the concept, and the fact that they are seeing more of the wicket is very rewarding.”

The school finalists from the regional and provisional tournaments each receive cash prizes, and the winning school will be presented with R100000 from CSA for new cricket equipment and the upgrading of its cricket facilities.

 “The short format game used in this competition allows for our cricket affiliates to conduct a more in-depth analysis of the best cricketing schools, and through the Standard Bank Schools Pro20 Challenge we wish to encourage new audiences to cricket via the twenty over format” says CSA Dr Nyoka.