Sponsored by Old Mutual and Walt Disney enterprises in association with Spur Steak Ranches and P4 Radio, Sporting Chance presents the 2005 Street Cricket league.

All you need is a bat, ball and dustbin! Excitement erupted in the Langa, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Manenberg and Elsies River communities as the Street Cricket league was launched in mid October.

According to visionary Brad Bing the township communities are filled with sport mad children. So many want to be actively involved and need a sporting environment in which to display their skills without having to travel too far. Sport has kept these children occupied whilst living in an environment which seldom encourages self improvement and empowerment. Talent is in abundance and the skills newly learnt have to be worked on!

So what better place to demonstrate their sporting ability than on the streets of the township. The Street Cricket League adds a new dimension to youth cricket in South Africa with the already popular Calypso Cricket Beach festivals taking place in December. Street Cricket creates an environment where aspiring youngsters can entertain their communities and involve their family members as “spectators”, thus creating an event for everyone.

On Friday 14th November the first ball of the 2005 Street Cricket league was bowled. With Sporting Chance providing logistical and structural support, the various leagues were primarily community driven, with a co-ordinator and organizing committee in each of these regions.

Each weekend of round-robin competition saw a mix of 200 boys and girls, in the under 10 and under 11 age groups playing this specially adapted version of cricket as representatives of their street in the community. The exciting nature of the matches saw hordes of family members and friends converge as spectators.

On Friday 18th November 2005 after five weeks of intense rivalry and fierce competition, the regional finals were held where the top two streets in each community were identified.

Friday 25th November, time for lights, camera’s and lots of action as the Western Cape Street Cricket league finals were held in the streets of Langa.  With the top two streets from each region converging on this central venue it was a night to remember. A kaleidoscope of colours adorned the bustling streets as the matches got underway. Paul “Gogga” Adams, the Patron of Street Cricket, joined in the festivities and offered valuable advice to the aspiring young players.

Competition was tight as each team played a series of five matches. Maria Street and Betty Street, both from Elsies River, finished top of the respective pools which meant it was an all Elsies River final.

Congratulations to Betty Street from Elsies River who won the final and was crowned the inaugural champions of the Western Cape Street Cricket league.

With the continued support from our sponsors Sporting Chance hopes to expand the Street Cricket league in 2006 to include even more of the Western Cape communities.