The Pride roars loud and proud after mammoth year

Enjoying an extended purple patch, Central Gauteng Lions reflected on a season in which ‘Best was Beaten’ – inside the boundaries and boardroom, and far beyond the borders, from bottom through to top.

Joburg’s pack of lions take tremendous pride in delivering their top performances to date.

The 48th AGM reflected on a season in which partnerships empowered; new sponsors onboarded; talent unearthed and great people grew. The full house was bounded forward with energy, great unity, openness, smoothness and care with all those gathering for the greatness of the game.

Newly appointed President of the Central Gauteng Central Gauteng Lions Board, Earl Glennistor thanked former Pride leader Mashilo Matsetela for his role at #ThePrideOfJozi and congratulated the group effort on the declaration of the handsome financials to its shareholders; the constructive, open and honest collaboration amongst the team and noted that winning is merely a result of teamwork and hard work.

“This Pride shares a common vision, an unwavering passion and a steely resolve. I take tremendous pride in us, as a collective, achieving the ambitious goals we set our Lions family, all the while ensuring that we continue to be an inclusive, sustainable and thriving organisation. I look forward to striding forward with the excellent leadership continuing in their roles namely Lead Independent Maya Makanjee; Chair of Finance Nivesh Nagar and Vice President of Central Gauteng Lions Mlungisi Nkosi. Personally, I applaud the Pride for their best financials in 12 years – an outstanding innings indeed. A warm congratulations and genuine ‘Thank You’ to every Pride member for their massive contributions to a mammoth year and I look forward to serving as President until the next AGM and supporting Central Gauteng Lions reach even greater heights!”

On the playing front, Central Gauteng Lions enjoyed a successful Domestic, International and SA20 Season and celebrated once again on being the most successful Union over the past year.

Highlights from the 2024/25 season include:

• DP World Lions Men’s Team won the T20 Trophy and shared the 4-Day Series trophy.

• DP World Lions Women’s team won the HWB Pro50 and finished 3rd in the HWB Pro20.

• Former Lions President, Dr Mohammed Moosajee was announced as the new CSA Vice President.

• DP World Lions Men’s Players helped guide the Proteas to the WTC Final and won it.

• DP World Lions Blind and DP World Lions Deaf Cricket continue to set the standard within South Africa. Our Union will become the first to launch a Women’s Blind Cricket team.

• Central Gauteng Lions Union launched the Lions Cubs Den, to help educate and empower the youth cricketers.

• Retaining the Sports Organization of the Year title at the 2024 Sports Industry Awards;

• CSA Pathway Awards for Central Gauteng Lions: 5 trophies;

• CSA Professional Awards for Central Gauteng Lions: 6 trophies

• Significant national team representation on all levels;

• Gauteng Sports Awards: ‘Team of the Year with a disability’ : DP World Lions Blind Cricket team.

• A successful winter Club Cricket T20 competition in the Jozi Cup with over 2000 players participating in South Africa’s biggest winter club cricket tournament;

• Stadium hosted the Black Widow T20 and Macrocomm Saturday Knockout Club Finals;

• Lions’ schools putting in exceptional performances in the Schools SA20 Tournament;

• Hub players well represented, and performing well in regional tournaments;

• CSA Pathway successes including International Debutants; CSA U19 Representation; CSA Emerging Representation and the success of the Sunbake Hubs Tournament;

• The retention of our wonderful current sponsors and the attraction of new partners.

Central Gauteng Lions CEO Jono Leaf-Wright believes that the hard-hitting Pride gave the season everything they’ve got – with fairness, sportsmanship and sacrifice;

“ ‘Beating your Best’ was a huge ask, because our previous season was an exceptional one but our staff, players, administrators, Board, sponsors and support crews took up the challenge: We learnt, we addressed the pressure as a privilege and we never lost sight of doing what we love which is delivering the game to the communities in which we serve. To our new President Mr Earl Glennistor: Having already served five years on our Board, you will add immense value to all that we do and all that we can become, and we look forward to walking the road ahead under your leadership. To our Board: Thank you for your belief in myself and my Pride – the year was a successful one because you powered us onwards and upwards. To our players and their families: Thank you for your commitment to Central Gauteng Lions and our valued fans. To Mr Mashilo Matsetela: We thank you for your time with us as President and for your guidance and support always – we are pleased that you continue to serve on the Board and look forward to sharing many more successes with you. Lastly to our partners: You backed us from the boardroom, and every single day we get to do what we love because you’ve allowed us to – we don’t forget that privilege and all our staff are grateful for it. This is as collective an effort if ever there is one.”

Reflecting on the all-important pipeline, the biggest winter cricket club competition in the country, the Jozi Cup continues to flourish. “The club cricket leagues remain of an extremely high quality. In excess of 300 teams participated in over 25 leagues and over 2 300 matches were played throughout the Central Gauteng Lions cricketing ecosystem: Evidence as to the strength and well-being of the systems in place. “We continue to foster our pipeline, The Telkom Talent Acceleration Programme and many more such splendid initiatives to ensure that our players are in the best position to be called up for national representation. Further, we continue to focus on developing the players of the future through the development of women’s and youth cricket, and the strengthening of our clubs, schools and community programs,” says Leaf-Wright.

Their greatest asset, the DP World Wanderers Stadium, is key to ensuring their holistic approach in ensuring the long-term well-being of all those who are still to come. They believe that the stadium was leveraged to its fullest this season, hosting a variety of cricket and non-cricket events such lifestyle festivals, motocross showcases, corporate gatherings and international concerts. As a team, we have ensured that the stadium is a multi-purpose hub of activity and culture and with thanks to Telkom’s high-speed 5G Wi-Fi network, connecting with fans on match day has reached a whole new level. Furthermore, several international matches were held at the stadium during the 2024/2025 season, including memorable clashes that drew capacity crowds and global viewership. They are proud of our role in positioning Johannesburg and the DP World Wanderers Stadium as premier hosts for top-tier cricket, particularly in the leadup to the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Outgoing CGL President Matsetela expressed his deepest gratitude to all those under the Lions umbrella.

“I thank every individual who has made my time as President of this wonderful Union a memorable and impactful one. This Pride will continue to have a piece of my heart as I continue to serve on the Board. I am so proud that over the past year Central Gauteng Lions did not only achieve sporting excellence but also made a lasting and positive impact on the communities we serve. Walk tall Lions, you are an outstanding example of a thriving and passionate Union.”

Driven by a relentless work ethic and a collective commitment to nurturing and growing the Central Gauteng Lions brand, the powerful Pride is once again ready to hunt – with eyes firmly set on excellence, never settling for second.

As they close out a successful financial year and look ahead to a thrilling new season, Central Gauteng Lions extends their heartfelt gratitude to our communities, fans, members of the media and volunteers.

“Your loyalty, passion and energy continue to inspire us. You are the lifeblood of Central Gauteng Lions and we thank you sincerely for the role you play, whether in the stands, online, or within our shared spaces. Together, we are #ThePrideOfJozi.”