6 September 2024
Domestic dominance was well celebrated at the 2023/24 CSA Awards
#ThePrideOfJozi celebrated success once more, this time at the coveted CSA Awards for the 2023/ 24 season. Scooping an impressive 13 awards, the Pride was well rewarded for a season in which new talent was unearthed, good became great, and unwavering dedication paid off – on field and off it.
Having steered his charges to both the Four-Day Series and CSA T20 Challenge titles, Coach Russell Domingo lead from the front bagging the Men’s Division 1 Coach of the Year. Those who helped him achieve the double were also recognised namely Reeza Hendricks, Bjorn Fortuin, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder and Nqaba Peter. A heartly congratulations to promising Pride member Neo Molefe as she walked away with the CSA Girl’s u16 Player of the Tournament; as well as CSA Hearing Impaired Cricket player of the Year Colin Venter and CSA Visually Impaired Cricket Player of the Year Buhle Bhidla. The CSA Learner with Special Needs Player of the Tournament went to our champion, Kamogelo Matlala while superstar administrator Rebecca Maloka was recognized for her support, love and care towards the game. A special congratulations to our new DP World Lions family member, Tazmin Brits on her award last night as best Domestic T20 Player. Tazmin has only joined us from this season but we are incredibly proud of her and what she delivered over the past year.
Lions Cricket would like to take this opportunity to warmly congratulate all nominee’s and winners, so says Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright;
“The nominee lists provided for a tightly fought contest – anyone could have won on the night because every nominee went above and beyond and beat their best. As a Union, we thank those who live and breathe the sport like we do, keeping us on our toes and pushing this Pride to perform professionally and passionately day in and day out and reminding us that such pressure is a privilege. To CSA: Thank you for recognizing our people and for an exceptionally well executed event and season. To our valued partners: We trust you will take as much pride in these awards as we do, for filling our trophy cabinets is always a group effort and Together Everyone Achieves More.”
A special mention to the hugely talented 21-year-old leg-spinner Nqaba Peter who walked away with both the Men’s T20 Challenge Player of the Season as well as the Men’s Domestic Newcomer of the Season awards. With a supportive Pride guiding him on field and off, there simply is no telling what Nqaba Peter will achieve this season and beyond.
Leaf-Wright concludes;
“We hunted the 23/24 season as best we know how and to the best of our abilities. On behalf of our Board, we thank all those who went above and beyond the call of duty. We acknowledge our winners, our nominee’s and the entire cricket eco-system for working with us to achieve greatness and celebrate the spirit of champions. On a personal level, I simply cannot wait to see what this season holds as we strive for great to become greater.”
2023/24 CSA AWARDS WINNERS FROM LIONS CRICKET:
Kwena Maphaka: CSA u19 Men’s Player of the Year
Neo Molefe: CSA Girl’s u16 Player of the Tournament
Colin Venter: CSA Hearing Impaired Cricket player of the Year
Russell Domingo: Men’s Division 1 Coach of the Year
Wiaan Mulder: Men’s 4-Day Series Player of the Season
Bjorn Fortuin: Domestic Players’ Player of the Season
Reeza Hendricks: Men’s T20 International Player of the Year
Nqaba Peter: Men’s T20 Challenge Player of the Season
Nqaba Peter: Men’s Domestic Newcomer of the Season
Buhle Bhidla: CSA Visually Impaired Cricket Player of the Year
Rebecca Maloka: KFC Bucket Loads of Good Award
Kamogelo Matlala: CSA Learners with Special Education Needs, Player of the Tournament
Bjorn Fortuin: SACA Men’s Most Valuable Player of the Year