Calypso Cricket celebrated its 15th year in 2005 with an action packed road show launching the Pick ‘n Pay Calypso Beach Cricket Festivals for the first time on East London’s famous Nahoon Beach.

For the 600 local participants, Friday the 2nd December was the day of the year as the festivals were officially opened by the United Cricket Board of South Africa’s president, Ray Mali, who faced the first bowl from the newly appointed Border Cricket CEO, Themba Nguka. 

From then on it was sun, sand, surf and skills as the young cricketers took to the kilometres of pitches to play the exciting, adapted game of cricket in ankle deep water.

UCB president Ray Mali spent the morning on the beach together with Brad Bing, the visionary and organiser of the event surveying the future cricketing talent on display. Mali stated that “this is one of the best cricketing days in my life”. While Bing added “if the festival identifies future stars as well as providing entertainment and fun for a lot of kids who come from disadvantaged circumstances, then we’re achieving our objectives.”

After a morning of cricket and a fantastic time on the beach, the sea of smiling faces leave with full tummies, goodie bags, a strong educational message and memories that provide encouragement for the New Year.

Following the launch of the festival in East London, the road show rejoined its original route down the coast stopping in Port Elizabeth, Plettenberg Bay, Wilderness, Mossel Bay, Hermanus, Strand, and concluded with three festivals on Sunrise Beach, Muizenberg.

At the completion of the road show over 6000 participants had formed part of the Calypso experience. With the children bussed in from the surrounding areas, the lifesavers patrolling the seas, medical staff and security watching over, loveLife representatives and Captain Crime Stop imparting valuable advice, local Rotarians, Sporting Chance, Milo and Pick ‘n Pay staff lending a helping hand, each festival is an outing for everyone to enjoy and remember.

The local Western Cape community were treated when their cricketing idols visited the beach to share their talent and skills in the sun and sand. An exhibition match between the Cape Cobras team and a Calypso team provided a spectacular finale to the festivals.

Title sponsors Pick ‘n Pay, in conjunction with Choice Brands, have given their continued support to this inspirational South African project.