250 Young Learners Celebrate Cricket at Metro North Zonal Festival

October 2026

CAPE TOWN – On Friday, 16 October 2026, approximately 250 young learners and their coaches gathered at Sunningdale Cricket Club for the Metro North Zonal Festival. Schools from Tableview, Durbanville, Bellville, Goodwood and Parow came together for a day of cricket, teamwork and celebrating their shared love for the game.

The festival was filled with excitement, energy and plenty of cricket action as our young players took to the field to showcase their skills, enjoy friendly competition and build friendships with learners from other schools.

Most importantly, it created an environment where every child could participate, have fun and experience the joy of cricket.

One of the biggest highlights was seeing the fantastic support from parents, coaches and the wider community. Their presence demonstrated that Mini Cricket is about more than what happens on the field, it is about creating opportunities for children, strengthening communities and building a love for sport from an early age.

With approximately 250 learners and their coaches participating, the festival brought schools and zones together while reinforcing important values such as teamwork, discipline, respect and sportsmanship. It also provided an opportunity for coaches and schools to connect and strengthen relationships in support of grassroots cricket development.

The success of the festival once again highlighted the importance of partnerships in growing the game and ensuring that more children have access to organised sport.

Sincere appreciation goes to all the partners for their valuable support and contribution in making this event a success.

A special appreciation to Sihle Gontsi from the WCED School Enrichment Office for his support with the certificates and his assistance in engaging with schools. His contribution helped ensure that our participating schools were supported and recognised.

Aso an appreciation Alicia Lombard from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) for assisting with the event’s social media coverage and helping us share the excitement and impact of Mini Cricket with the wider community.

A heartfelt appreciation goes to Raymond Weston and Sunningdale Cricket Club for arranging the facility and sound on the day. Their support helped create a welcoming environment for the children, coaches and families who attended.

“The community came out in their numbers. We are so grateful to see all the parents coming out to support their future stars. These types of activations make sure that cricket is in a good state,” said Weston.

His words capture the true spirit of the festival. When families, schools, clubs and partners come together, we create an environment where young players feel encouraged, supported and inspired to keep playing.

WPCA KFC Mini Cricket, remains committed to growing the game at grassroots level, reaching more schools and communities, and ensuring that every child could participate and develop through cricket.

The Sunningdale Zonal Festival was a wonderful example of what can be achieved through teamwork, community involvement and strong partnerships. We extend our thanks to all the schools, coaches, parents, organisers and stakeholders who played a part in making the day memorable.