On Thursday, Lions Cricket launched the 2025 edition of the Jozi Cup, a community-based competition, at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
The tournament is set to stage over 500 cricket matches and features 26 clubs spanning across 10 age group categories and over 130 participating teams from under 11 to over 40s.
Lions Cricket Chief Executive Officer Jono Leaf-Wright emphasised the original idea behind the tournament being to provide the opportunity for exposure and strengthening the system that produces talent for the Men and Women's Lions senior teams.
Leaf-Wright highlighted the tournament's inclusive nature as the 2025 edition is set to feature an under-13 girls division for the first time.
"When the launch happened four years ago, it was to allow our clubs and member base to grow in our pipeline system," said Leaf-Wright.
"I'm very excited for season four. Over 500 will be played over six weeks. We need to continue to inspire the next generation of Lions cricketers and Proteas cricketers that will win trophies for us in many years to come.
"In season one, we had 1800 players, and now we have grown to 1900 players to season four. This year, what's exciting is that we've also introduced an under-13 girls division with five new teams. It speaks to our diversity and inclusivity that we are trying to drive and still here at Lions cricket.
"What's so beautiful about it is that it stretches as much as Kagiso, Soweto and the Vaal. It really speaks to what we are at Lions Cricket, and that's one big family."
The tournament is set to get underway on 11 May, with the finals getting underway over the Youth Day weekend at the Bullring.
The divisions/age groups are as follows:
U11, U13 boys, U13 girls, U14, U16 and U18; Men’s Open Division (Premier League A); Women’s Open Division; Senior Men’s Open; Veterans and Blind cricket.