Photo Credit: Central Gauteng Lions
Thursday 22 April was a festive and joyous occasion for the Imperial Lions. In a similar vein to this past season, the awards evening was one of excellent execution, teamwork, laughter, appreciation and joyous celebration.
As the end of the franchise period, the Imperial Lions were crowned joint 2020/21 Momentum One-Day Cup Champions as well as Betway T20 Challenge Champions in a season that saw a total of 11 Imperial Lions players don the proud Proteas cap.
“Our players, technical team and staff have worked tirelessly throughout undoubtably the toughest year of our lives, as we’ve navigated through and adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic. Tonight was a rare occasion of late: A celebration of goals achieved, lessons learnt, growth gained and friendships made. Congratulations to our winners you deserve the recognition and may all of our players rejoice, reflect and we’ll regroup again ahead the 2021/22 season,” says a proud Lions Cricket CEO Jono Leaf-Wright.
CGL President Anne Vilas reflected on the end of the franchise period, a time she says in which so much was achieved;
“Since the start of the franchise system, Lions Cricket has won ten trophies – three 4-Day Domestic Series, three Momentum One-Day Cup and four CSA T20 Challenge”.
Ms Vilas continued to say, “We’re extremely excited of what’s to come in terms of the new domestic structure and our Union being awarded the Division 1 status in the top 8 for the next two seasons. But it too comes with a heavy heart and fond farewell to the franchise period as well as our partnership with North West Cricket. I personally would like to warmly congratulate all of tonight’s winners and thank every Imperial Lions player for representing us with such tremendous pride and professionalism this season, you have all been #SimplyTheBest!”
North West Cricket Executive Archie Pretorius echoed similar sentiment;
“We’re sad to part ways, but in the same breath excited about the adventures ahead. A hearty congrats to tonight’s winners, and a genuine thank you to Central Gauteng Lions for a successful partnership during the franchise period. We’ll see you on the field!”
Name of Author: Lions Cricket
Lions Cricket aims to foster a deep passion for cricket by advancing the sport through high-quality teams, nurturing club and school cricket, and providing a premier stadium experience. The organization also seeks to use cricket to drive inclusive and sustainable economic, social, and environmental change.
