Durban - The Sunfoil Test Series between South Africa and England raised a record R850 000 for the Willowton Group's Sunfoil Education Trust, which gives talented township players the chance of having a cricket career and through an academic bursary scheme.
Batsmen from both teams raised the amount through an initiative created by the sponsors.
This is how it is funded:
R1 000 is awarded for every 4, R2 000 for every 6 and R2 500 for every wicket taken during the series.
The Trust has received more than R3 million since its creation six years ago.
In turn it has been able to provide full bursaries (school fees, uniforms, hostel costs) to 16 talented youngsters who will now get a chance to attend some of South Africa's leading schools.
“We felt that to give talented township players a real chance to forge a career in the sport, intensive cricket training would need to go hand in hand with a good education, hence the formation of the Trust,” said Shoaib Moosa, Chief Commercial Officer for Willowton Group.
“Our long-term goal is to create cricket stars of the future, but for those who don’t make it into the top echelons of the sport, the bursaries equip them to go on to forge successful careers in other fields, whilst making cricket an important part of their lives. Either way, the Sunfoil Education Trust bursary programme empowers deserving youngsters to change their lives for the better.”
It is through the Sunfoil Township Cricket development programme where the bursary recipients are selected. However, they are first given the chance to play in the development squads against some of the best cricket schools in their province. Then standout players become eligible for a Sunfoil Education Trust bursary.
IOL