THE country’s premier junior cricket development tournament, Stragglers Junior Cricket Week, kicks off today with 500 budding cricketers battling it out at St George’s and Hartmann House.
The week-long cricket extravaganza, which is sponsored by financial services institution, Stanbic Bank, will see young cricketers at primary school level and from different socio-economic backgrounds undergoing top level cricket exposure from the country’s leading players and coaches.
Stragglers committee member and co-coordinator junior cricket, Monica Petzer, said the same format whereby the cricketers would be rotated and every player afforded a chance to bat and bowl would be used as it was the most effective in exposing the cricketers to all round play.
“We believe that we give a vast cross section of enthusiastic young cricketers the opportunity to try out their skills in batting, bowling and fielding and install the passion of cricket among many. There are many young cricketers who go on to play representative cricket and we are delighted that the love of the game is spread far and wide,” Petzer said.
She said one of the gratifying aspects of Stragglers Cricket Week is seeing players from the development sides rubbing shoulders with those from elite schools, adding that this helped mould them into well rounded persons.
The development sides are exposed to the many different young cricketers and compete against sides they would not normally meet during regular school sporting schedules and this helps them improve their game.
Petzer paid tribute to Stanbic Bank saying its contribution played a pivotal role in the organisers succeeding to overcome the challenging economic environment as they host the event.
“We are incredibly grateful for our annual sponsorship from Stanbic Bank, their unwavering support over the years has been instrumental to our success. Their commitment provides vital resources and exemplifies generosity which makes for a lasting impact that we truly appreciate,” Petzer said.
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She said the contribution by Stanbic Bank ensures that the young cricketers experience an unparalleled cricketing experience throughout the week.
Each player is placed in a team named after a cricket playing country and everyday each country plays a different one.
“We strive to ensure that each player bowls a minimum of two overs per game and the batting is rotated daily to ensure everyone gets a fair chance to bat! Wicket keeping is for anyone who wants to and of course fielding for all! It is a great way to start the season - with plenty of practice and Stanbic Bank performance certificates to be won, while having loads of fun,” Petzer said.
Stanbic Bank head: Brand and Marketing, Palmer Mugavha, said the Standard Bank Group's subsidiary took gratification in helping put smiles on the young cricketers after a hard second educational term’s work.
“Apart from helping the young cricketers rest and relax, Stragglers Cricket Week has been instrumental in churning out some of the country’s cricket greats over the years,” Magavha said..
“Stanbic Bank is proud to be playing a crucial role in grassroots cricket development. We are cognisant of the fact that some of the country’s greatest players were identified and moulded from Stragglers Cricket Week hence our commitment to this event for over a decade and a half now,” he said.
During the week-long event, budding cricketers from different socio-economic backgrounds rub shoulders in a well-planned cricket experience with youngsters coming from areas such as Bindura, Shamva and Bulawayo to play limited overs cricket.
The grades 4 and 5 cricketers play in the morning and the grades 6 and 7 in the afternoon.
