The leading T20 league in South Africa, SA20, has announced the creation of a new development league aimed at spotting and developing the nation’s cricket talent, regardless of gender. In all 16 provinces, they will host a nationwide tournament that will span from September 2024 to March 2025. There will be more than 200 ladies’ teams and over 370 boys’ teams competing in more than a thousand games.
The SA20 and Cricket South Africa (CSA) are aggressively attempting to elevate women’s cricket in the nation. It is anticipated that the girls’ competition will serve as a training ground for the U19 squad that will compete in the U19 Women’s World Cup in Malaysia in 2025. There will be three stages to each tournament in the meantime.
The Provincial competition, the first stage, will take place from September to November, while the Regional Playoffs, the second stage, will take place in January and February of 2025. The national finals, which are the third and last round, are scheduled for March 13–15.
Commissioner of the SA20 league, Graeme Smith, discussed the influence the tournament will have and expressed his excitement about what the upcoming crop of cricket players will offer to the game. He also mentioned that he is sure it will be entertaining.
“Schools SA20 has the potential to make a big impact on our cricketing future; it’s not merely a competition. Many of the current Protea Men and Women made their name at the school level. I’m excited to watch the next generation perform and showcase their talents on the international scene. Without a doubt, this competition will produce the next big teenage cricket star, as SuperSport reported Smith to have said.
In order to support the national squad, he continued, the event is dedicated to investing in female cricket players as it develops. Additionally, he thinks that the government’s programs and the CSA will professionalise women’s cricket.
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“SA20 is also dedicated to collaborating with CSA to fund initiatives aimed at expanding the pool of female athletes and advancing the women’s game in South Africa. Our support of the U19 Girls’ Camps, along with CSAs and government efforts to professionalise women’s tennis, will be crucial in expanding the pool of players for Proteas Women’s success in the future, he continued.
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