Gala dinner in honour of Dolly to raise funds for St Augustine
TICKETS for the gala dinner in honour of world-renowned South African-born cricketer Basil D’Oliveira are on sale.
The event is being held to raise funds for a clubhouse at St Augustine cricket club where D’Oliveira started his cricketing career. It forms part of a Western Province Cricket Association and St Augustine legacy project.
D’Oliveira played 44Tests for England from 1966 to 1972 after being classified as coloured and therefore ineligible to play for his country.
The Basil D’Oliveira trophy will be contested from December 26 until January 18 when England tour South Africa.
The second Test is due to be played at Newlands from January 2.
Project working committee member Natasha Petersen said as the second Test drew closer, the excitement was building ahead of the gala dinner on January 7, a day after the final day’s play at Newlands.
She said: “As a result, preparations are under way at a frenetic pace to ensure successful preparations for the Gala Dinner and Youth Cricket Experience Day which forms part of the D’Oliveira Legacy Project.”
Petersen said excitement was “building from every corner” for the inaugural event.
The dinner will be held at the Grand Arena, and a coaching clinic would take place at the club the following day. The proceeds from the sale of tickets to the dinner will go towards the Basil D’Oliveira Foundation, the St Augustine Clubhouse project, and other community projects.
Petersen said: “We urge people to get involved. Buy a ticket or table to the Gala Dinner. Make contributions towards the Auction or Youth Cricket Experience Day. Let’s do this together.”
Platinum tickets are available at R20 000 per table, Gold at R15 000, Silver at R10 000 and Bronze at R5 000.
Guests at the Platinum and Gold tables would be joined by either an international or local cricket star, an administrator or a government official. Make payments to:
Company: Western Province Cricket Association Bank: Absa Bank Account Number: 404 9531 600 Branch: Claremont Universal Code: 632005 Use either GALA DINNER or YCED (Youth Cricket Experience Day) as your reference on the payment.
Ticket purchasers are asked to e-mail proof of payment to david@wccricket.co.za