Season 2 of Betway SA20 not only proved to be a success on the field but off the field too, with over R750 000 raised for its Social Impact Partner, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa (LSFG SA). Several fund raising initiatives were rolled out since the partnership was launched, with the League aiming to help LSFG SA enable and drive social change.
In addition to auctioning off suites at the playoffs and Final, a highlight was the one-handed catching competition at the Final, where cricketing legends and LSFG SA Ambassadors including Graeme Smith, Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis, Jean de Villiers, and Cecil Afrika showcased their skills by batting and taking one-handed catches for a worthy cause.
The activation alone raised an impressive R250 000, with League title partners, Betway, doubling the donation to a total of R500 000 for the LSFG SA. The partnership transcended the playing field throughout the month, with youth from the various Laureus development programmes around the country attending matches at various stadiums. At the Final, two young children met their heroes and also accompanied the with the captains as they walked onto the field for the national anthems; an opportunity of a lifetime for many.
League Commissioner, Graeme Smith commented on the partnership: "We’re extremely proud to have been able to play a small role in raising funds to drive social change with our partnership with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation SA this season. The team have been fantastic to work with and we have a shared commitment to making a difference through sport. I also want to thank Betway for their support. Hopefully the combined contributions from this season will make a meaningful impact on many young lives.”
Morné du Plessis, chairman of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation SA, is excited to see the first of a three-year partnership as the SA20 League’s official social impact partner successfully concluding: "Over 400 children attended games in Cape Town, Paarl, Durban, Gqeberha, Johannesburg and Pretoria, which was an incredible experience for them, considering that the vast majority of these young sporting enthusiasts have never witnessed a cricket match or even been to a stadium.
"We are grateful for the funds raised by the SA20 League and the support from Betway. This contribution will go a long way to help us use the power of sport as a vehicle to continue to change the lives of SA's youth and we are excited to see what the remaining years of this partnership will bring."