KZN Cricket Union hosts awards night

The KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union (KZNCU) held their 2024/2025 season awards at Sun Sibaya on Friday May 16.

It was an evening that highlighted the strength of the Hollywoodbets Dolphins pipeline and shone the light on the achievements of all levels of cricket in the province.

The KZNCU Awards evening showcased the performances of players, administrators and volunteers throughout the previous season and there were several noteworthy awards handed out on the evening. 

The KZNCU President’s award is always an important award given out every year and this year’s recipient was Andre Ellapen from Southern Natal. Ellapen has been an instrumental figure in growing the game of cricket on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and has been a shining light in creating tournaments and leagues for players throughout the year. His contribution to cricket on the South Coast has filtered into the greater Dolphins pipeline and his efforts continue to be an example for other regions in KZN.

Another important award is the eThekwini Metro Cricket Union’s (EMCU) President’s Award. This year EMCU president Kugan Subrayen awarded this to Bronwyn Gounden from Chatsworth Sporting. Gounden became the youngest person and first female, at the age of 23, to be the chairperson of the Chatsworth Sporting Cricket Club and she continued her involvement in cricket being the manager of the victorious KZN Under 16 Girls team that won their national week. Gounden managed the team that was coached by the Dolphins Schools Coach of the Year, Dheyanka Naidoo. 

In what was one of the achievements of the season Amanzimtoti Cricket Club were crowned the Castle Premier League champions for the first time in many years after a stellar season. For the president of the KZN Cricket Union Yunus Bobat, he said it is crucial that they celebrate the achievements of every level of cricket in the province.

 “In order for us to strengthen our pipeline and give these players, administrators and coaches the drive to achieve more, it’s vital that we acknowledge their achievements now,” Bobat said. “We are incredibly proud of all the individuals, teams and clubs that won awards, and we hope they continue their hard work into the new season.”

The evening was also used to recognise all those players who have represented South Africa, and the Dolphins were well represented in the junior national teams. Five players represented the SA Under 19 men’s team. Seshnie Naidu was part of the SA Under 19 Women’s World Cup team and five players were part of the various men’s and women’s SA Schools teams. KZN Cricket also had six representatives in the SA Blind Cricket team as well as various veteran’s national representatives.

CEO of KZN Cricket Heinrich Strydom continues to be encouraged by the strength of the game of cricket in the province.

“To be able to recognise the achievements of all of our teams, clubs, players, administrators and volunteers from all over KZN is fantastic,” Strydom said. “The award winners come from every spectrum of society in KZN, and we are proud to be able to use cricket to bring them all together. We’re also encouraged by the efforts of all of our winners, and we hope that next season we’re celebrating even more successes.”