The objective of the North-West University (NWU) to invest in and increase its impact across communities has become fundamentally connected with community engagement.
The launch of the 2023/24 cricket season took place at the Willows Garden Hotel on Thursday, 7 September, with attendees including representatives from the NWU and North West (NW) Cricket.
In addition, the NW Dragons unveiled their new kit, offered the guests the first look at the squad for the upcoming season and announced their partnership with the NWU.
The emphasis of the NW Dragons on collaborating with the finest to improve the club's performance and expand cricket in the province is essential to its strategy, and its partnership with the NWU will allow the team to make numerous improvements across all its operations.
With the iconic NWU symbol on their kit, the battalion of cricketers are required to play their highest quality of cricket.
This is the NW Dragons squad for the 2023–24 campaign
Lesiba Ngoepe, Ruan de Swart, Kerwin Mungroo, Duan Jansen, Migael Pretorius, Meeka-eel Prince, Caleb Sekela, Hlompo Modimokoane, Raynard van Tonder, Gideon Peters, Rubin Hermann, Grant Mokoena, Lesego Senokwane, Tebogo Mokoatedi (strength and conditioning coach), Neil Levenson (assistant coach), Craig Alexander (head coach), Jackie Kriel (physiotherapist), Senuran Muthusamy (T-20 captain), Wihan Lubbe (one-day captain) and Bamanye Xexe.
NWU principal and vice-chancellor Prof Bismark Tyobeka remarked, “We are the sole tertiary-education institution in North West, therefore it is only fitting that we answer when the Dragons call upon us. Three fundamental pillars that serve as the foundation of our university are teaching and learning, research and innovation, and community engagement. We invest in community engagement through this partnership and anticipate a fruitful and satisfying relationship.”
Tebogo Mothlabane, the president of NW Cricket, applauded the university for coming on board and gave the assurance that the NWU will be an integral part of the community that develops cricket across the province.
NW Cricket vice-president Zubayr Minty is eager for the forthcoming season and committed to making this collaboration successful.
“One hand washes the other in this partnership. Our goal is to improve the cricket facilities within the province, and we anticipate having a large turnout to support us when a game is scheduled, as this will be fantastic publicity for the NWU, Potchefstroom, the Dragons and the JB Marks oval,” he says.
Watch their first provincial game as the NW Dragons take on the Western Province on Saturday, 16 September at the JB Marks oval.
The NW Dragons team for the 2023–2024 cricket season.
From the left, president of the NW Cricket Tebogo Mathlabane, principal and vice-chancellor Prof Bismark Tyobeka, and vice-president of NW Cricket Zubayr Minty.
