The North-West University's (NWU’s) Sports Business Management Department recently hosted a Mini-Cricket festival as part of a community engagement initiative, aiming to promote youth participation in sports, particularly cricket, among primary school students in the Vaal Triangle region.

The event took place at the NWU’s Vanderbijlpark Campus and was a resounding success, drawing in participants and spectators from all over the region. It provided a wonderful opportunity for young athletes to showcase their talents and engage in friendly competition.

The event was organised by Dr Anita Lennox, Jackie Bonnema and Fanie Roos, and focused on mini-cricket teams consisting of children aged six to nine. Notably, the NWU, Spur and RocoMamas proudly sponsored the event, contributing to its success and impact.

Dr Lennox says the purpose of the event was to promote youth engagement in sports, foster teamwork among children, and to provide an opportunity for schools to participate in an organised cricket event. 

"The festival served as a platform to connect communities through sport. In addition to being a festival for kids, the NWU Mini-Cricket event integrated teaching and learning into its structure, with NWU students involved in the planning and execution of the festival. This hands-on experience helped students develop skills in event management, community outreach and teamwork, complementing their academic studies," she says.

Dr Lennox says she is satisfied with the event, and that it provided valuable hands-on experience for students in organising a large-scale sporting event. She adds that the strong participation from schools across the Vaal Triangle region highlighted the success of the event.

"The sense of community and camaraderie that permeated the festival was truly heartwarming. It was evident that the event had a positive impact on all those involved. We had a significant turnout, with a total of 590 kids, around 850 spectators, and 110 coaches in attendance," says Dr Lennox. She adds that the event also strengthened relationships between local schools and brought families together to support youth sports in the region.

“The success of this year's event sets a promising precedent for future engagements and reaffirms the commitment to promoting youth participation in sports within the Vaal Triangle region.”

The NWU Mini-Cricket event is an annual initiative, with the next festival scheduled for 6 September 2025.