The ‘Pride of Jozi’ ready for upcoming season

Lions Cricket celebrated the mighty Pride’s that will proudly, passionately and professionally represent the #PrideOfJozi this 2023/24 season.

Taking place pitch side and in the presence of the Lions brass band, the launch on Friday (September 8) was a Lions family affair inclusive of the Lions Cricket Union’s sponsors, partners and stakeholders as well as players, administrators, media and friends of the Pride.

Showcasing the season that was and the celebration of 7 trophies, much razzmatazz was added with the players donning the new kit.
The One Day kit proudly depicts the topography of Johannesburg, and the bold T20 kit carries the Lions mane on top of one’s shoulders.
Perhaps the most celebrated news was that of womens cricket now fully professionalised in South Africa at domestic level, with DP World Lions ladies Head Coach, Shaun Pretorius noting that his ladies are ready to thrill through and through;

“Our objective this season is to reverse the narrow losses into wins, earning valuable log points as we do so. We’ve worked tirelessly behind the scenes, going back to the drawing board and learning how to right our wrongs. I look forward to seeing some new additions in our line up with Sinalo Jafta, Chloe Tryon and Shabnim Ismail ready to roar as well as several club performers earning a squad call up.
It’s an exciting time ahead as the professional domestic women’s structure is upon us this season with 11 fully contracted players, a larger management team and a resolute focus on quality cricket all round. I believe that we will play with pride and face every challenge head on. Lastly, I wish only great things for all players this season – let’s do this!”

DP World Lions Mens head coach Russell Domingo says that pre-season has been fantastic with focused players working hard and smart;
“I believe that the players have enjoyed the pre-season training with our in-depth conversations and methods of training.
On a personal level, I have been suitably impressed by the depth of talent available, not just in the contracted squad but with some of the HP players, colts, academy and school boy players we’ve hosted in the last few sessions.
Winning is obviously of paramount importance, but developing players to not just play for our Province but to become great players at Protea level and on the international stage is very important for us. We also want to play a brand of cricket that is exciting to watch and be solid role models not just for aspiring cricketers, but for people in all walks of life in South Africa.”

City of Johannesburg and Joburg Tourism Company are excited to support Gauteng Central Lions Cricket as they launched the DP World Lion’s Season at the Wanderers’ Stadium. 

“September’s here and it’s time to shift gears and immerse ourselves in the beauty and vibrancy that is Joburg,” said Councillor Nomoya Mnisi, the City’s MMC for Economic Development.  
“Aside from heralding the beginning of spring, September is also the month we embrace and celebrate our heritage as well as tourism with United Nations World Tourism Organisation. World Tourism Day is celebrated globally on 27 September 2022. As we reflect on what has been and what’s to come, we’d like to endorse and encourage our illustrious partners, the DP World Lions teams,” said Mnisi.  

“We’re looking to #ThePrideofJozi to give it their all and we wish them well in their endeavours in the season which lies ahead,” said MMC Mnisi.