Jendamark seal the deal

Jendamark United Cricket Club have announced the extension of a long-running sponsorship arrangement.

The New Brighton side have received R567,998 from Jendamark Automation, part of which will go to their new grassroots programme, which aims to develop cricketers at school level.

The club finished sixth on the log last season.

United chair Gerald Majola welcomed the extension and said the team had no excuse now not to achieve their dream of winning both the league and the T20 competition this season.

“I am happy about the continuation of the sponsorship. It means that we will start the season knowing that we are geared for the season financially,” Majola said.

“So we are very excited as a club, even more so that Jendamark has moved into grassroots cricket, which has been neglected.

“Hopefully that programme will be a feeder to the club and we will get our future stars from those youngsters.”

The club now hosts a cricket development hub which will not only cater for primary and high schools in New Brighton, but also those in Kwazakhele.

“In the New Brighton area, there are 18 primary schools and five high schools,” Majola said.

“As the Kwazakhele area does not have a hub, we are catering for them as well. We had to employ coaches to ensure those kids are attended to.

“The Cricket South Africa programme allows us to appoint four coaches, but we felt the number of kids was too high for just four to handle,” he said.

“Hence we approached Jendamark to extend their sponsorship to also sponsor the hub.”

Jendamark key account administrator Natasha Thompson said: “We believe in uplifting the community and have seen the potential of the club.

“Also promoting fitness within the community is one of our passions.

“The relationship has been amazing.”