The Stragglers Junior Cricket Week, Zimbabwe’s flagship grassroots cricket development programme, is set to take place from 25 August at St George’s College and Hartmann House.
Sponsored by Stanbic Bank, the event will bring together 540 boys and girls from Grades 4 to 7 for a week of intensive training and spirited competition.
Now in its long-running partnership with Stanbic Bank, the initiative continues to open opportunities for children from diverse socio-economic and geographic backgrounds, with participants coming from across Zimbabwe as well as South Africa and the United Kingdom.
This year’s edition has grown, welcoming about 40 more players than last year.
Event coordinator Monica Petzer confirmed that the tried-and-tested format will remain in place. Children rotate through batting, bowling, and fielding positions to ensure equal participation and exposure.
Each player bowls a minimum of two overs per game, and batting orders change daily to give everyone a fair chance. Teams are named after cricket-playing nations, with matches set up so that every “country” faces a different opponent each day.
Petzer stressed that this inclusive approach builds both skills and passion for the game, with many participants going on to represent their schools and provinces.
“The development teams, which typically have limited exposure to competitive fixtures, benefit immensely from facing opponents they would not ordinarily encounter during the school term,” she said.
A distinctive feature of the week is the mix of children from elite schools and those from development teams. Organisers say this interaction fosters camaraderie, respect, and mutual learning.
“It’s heartening to see children from different walks of life learning from each other and growing together,” Petzer noted, adding that the encounters often transform confidence and broaden players’ understanding of cricket.
Stanbic Bank has sponsored the programme for over 15 years, providing crucial support during challenging economic conditions. Petzer acknowledged the bank’s role in sustaining the event:
“Stanbic Bank’s continued support has been nothing short of phenomenal. Their sponsorship allows us to maintain the quality and reach of the programme, ensuring that every child has access to a memorable and enriching cricket experience.”
The sponsorship has also enabled the Stragglers Cricket Academy to host 15 development sides annually and deepen its impact on grassroots cricket.
Tariro Memo, acting head of brand and marketing at Stanbic Bank, highlighted the broader significance of the initiative.
“It is incredibly rewarding to be part of a programme that gives young players a chance to gain new experiences in the world of cricket. These events have become a cornerstone for cultivating future stars, and we are proud to keep that legacy alive,” she said.
Memo emphasised that the bank’s commitment goes beyond sponsorship. “We have watched this platform mould not just cricketers, but confident, disciplined individuals. That is why we have remained invested not just in the sport but the communities it uplifts as well.”
The week is carefully scheduled, with Grade 4 and 5 players competing in the mornings, and Grade 6 and 7 players in the afternoons.
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